It is hard to forget the graphic images from the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City five years ago. All agree that the most compelling of those images was that of little Baylee Almon being cradled in the arms of an Oklahoma City firefighter, Chris Fields.

Today, Aren Almon-Kok, Baylee's mother, and Fields carry that image with them as they travel the country with the Protecting People First Foundation. This national crusade was born after a congressional report found that flying glass caused the majority of deaths. Its goal is to raise public awareness of flying glass dangers and the need for greater prevention measures.

Employers Reinsurance Corporation (ERC), a GE company based in Overland Park, is one of the world's largest reinsurers. Its business is insuring insurance companies, so they understand the consequences of natural and man-made disasters. ERC recognizes the risk to people and property from severe weather. So what can be done to reduce the chances of this happening? Can people work together to ensure that our communities are more disaster-resistant?

The answer is "yes." But it takes commitment, it requires vision, and it demands time and energy.

This summer, ERC took the first step by launching an unprecedented public-private partnership called "Protecting Our Promise - Safeguarding America's Children."
ERC joined with the Protecting People First Foundation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Johnson County Project Impact and the International Window Film Industry (IWFA). The collective vision is to create a nation that is safer for children.

On August 15, 50 ERC employees volunteered their time to retrofit the St. Joseph Early Education Center in Shawnee, Kansas. This Center serves 600 area children making it the largest childcare center in the greater Kansas City area. This project entailed placing safety and security film on all the center's windows and securing objects that could fall and cause potential harm during a disaster.

The day began as volunteers were separated into groups and placed throughout the building to begin working in classrooms. Employees were taught how to firmly attach bookcases, bulletin boards, and coat racks to the walls, as well as "Velcro" smaller items that could fall and cause injury, such as radios and lamps.

Oklahoma City firefighter Chris Fields spoke to the
volunteers about the dangers of flying glass. Fields has seen firsthand the devastation from a man-made disaster, as well as injuries wrought by severe weather. Fields stressed the fact that simple precautions, such as the retrofit that occurred at the daycare center, can help
prevent injury and save lives. He expressed his thanks to the ERC employees, who dedicated their time to help keep children safe in the community.

Several partners donated their expertise as well as materials to make this event a reality. Enpro Distributing donated the safety and security film, manufactured by Madico. Kent Le Monte of Enpro was instrumental in coordinating the delivery of the film. Jamie Ireland of Enpro and Tri Nguyen of Mid America Window Tint Specialists volunteered their time to install the film.

ERC's Protecting Our Promise illustrates that communities can accomplish great things through public-private partnerships.

As a reinsurer, ERC is a company that analyzes and helps others manage risk using complex statistical tools. But risk is more than numbers. It's about people, their property and their lives. ERC understands that communities are exposed to risk from severe weather, especially in the Midwest. Taking simple steps, such as applying safety and security film and securing heavy objects, can help prevent damage, as well as save lives.

We hope this event will be the first of many to help raise awareness about the dangers of flying glass. The process of retrofitting is a simple, effective way to protect children from conditions that may occur during a natural disaster. Through the "Protecting Our Promise - Safeguarding America's Children" program ERC hopes to duplicate this project in communities around the nation.