Fire is a hot topic. Fire prevention is even hotter. “If you want to make an impact on fire casualties, you have to start with prevention,” says the Knox County Fire Marshall. “We want to stop fires not just minimalize the damage.” That’s why public education is heating up, particularly among adults. While kids are the largest casualties of fires, it’s adults who start them, candles and cigarettes being the two biggest culprits. “70 to 80 percent of fire deaths are in homes where we can’t regulate so we have to change people’s behaviors.” Kathy moved from Bloomington, IN where she was one of 10 female fire chiefs in the country. She helped form the Women Chief Fire Officers Association, put together a 5-year-plan she accomplished in four and has never fought the front lines. Now she’s blazing trails to get the word out. “As long as there are fires, it means there are people we haven’t reached,” she says. “Being such a ‘behind the scenes’ organization, it’s important people know we’re here and have resources and information to help keep them safe.”