Safe Communities America Program Tools

Safe Communities Program Tools are provided to assist communities in preparing their application for designation. Program tools consist of an Excel spreadsheet and a
Word template.
The Excel spreadsheet can be used to compile information about your community safety promotion and injury prevention programs, injury data and evaluation results. The Word template can be used to complete the Internet Application Summary.

Becoming A Safe Community

Every community has its own unique personality, its own rhythm and vibrancy and its own unique challenges. The injury patterns and problems are also unique to each community. However, by determining which ones are most impacting your community, and designing injury prevention programs specific to your community, you can make a difference.

Your community may already have individuals, groups, and organizations who have committed their time and resources to make your community safer. Working together, in partnership, communities can reduce disabling injuries and save lives. It all starts with a commitment to making safety a priority for your community. Let Safe Communities America help you become a Safe Community.

Beginning January 1, 2009, all applications must follow the new posted guidelines

• Download New Guidelines for Safe Communities.pdf

Safe Communities Designation

The Safe Communities designation is awarded to communities that have demonstrated leadership in promoting safety, reducing injuries, and preparing their citizens for natural and man-made disasters.

Communities seeking designation must meet the following six indicators established by the WHO Collaborating Center on Community Safety Promotion and Safe Communities program:

1. Demonstrate leadership based on partnership and collaborations with all community sectors that are responsible for safety promotion in their community;
2. Long-term, sustainable programs covering both genders and all ages, environments, situations, and includes preparing their citizens for emergencies and disasters;
3. Programs that target high-risk groups and environments, and programs that promote safety for vulnerable groups;
4. Collect data on number and causes of injuries;
5. Evaluate their programs, processes and the effects of change;
6. Participate in national and international Safe Communities networks.

Designation Process

Designation is a three step process: submitting an application, a site visit from Safe Communities certifying representatives, and a ceremony celebrating your official designation.

Submitting an application

Your written application describes your community and highlights how your community meets the six Safe Communities program indicators.

• Download Application for Designation

Send your completed application to Safe Communities America.

Application Costs

Safe Communities America works with Safe Communities Canada as part of the North America Safe Communities Network. Safe Communities Canada is currently the Certifying Center in North America. If you are submitting your Safe Communities application to this Certifying Center please download and review the 2009 international Safe Communities designation fee schedule for Canada / North America Certifying Center and their procedures.

• Download Certifying Center Designation Fee Schedule .pdf

Site Visit

After review of your application, a Certifying Center site reviewer will schedule a site visit. The site visit is an opportunity to highlight your community and its safety promotion and injury prevention programs.

Designation Ceremony

Celebrate Your Success! The Safe Communities Designation brings international recognition to your community’s safety and injury prevention efforts. A Safe Communities representative will be present to award your community this honor.