A HAVEN FROM HARM; BURBANK FIRE STATIONS JOIN SAFETY PROGRAM.

Byline: Mary Lou Aurelio Daily News Staff Writer

The Burbank Fire Department will officially begin its Safe House Program today, designating the city's six fire stations havens for children needing help and victims of domestic violence as part of a countywide trend.

The Safe House Program was started in May 1997 by the Los Angeles Fire Department. It subsequently was adopted by the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Association, and each respective fire department.

Typically, fire department officials work with local police and school districts in an effort to inform the community. ``Safe House'' signs are posted outside fire stations.

In a report to the Burbank City Council, Fire Chief Michael Davis said the program is designed to ``assist children who have medical emergencies, or who are victims of any crime, intimidation or abuse.''

Burbank fire Inspector Kelly Chulick is expected to brief the City Council on the program tonight. He has been getting the word out for the last month to students at local elementary and middle schools. A drama team of students from John Burroughs High School accompanied Chulick and performed skits to help children understand.

If they are lost, hurt or perceive themselves to be in danger while on the way to or from school, the youngsters are directed to knock on the door of a fire station. If no one answers, there is a red phone in front of the station that will connect them directly to a 911 operator, Chulick said.

He said the department also will be alerting parents soon on local cable television.

``It's kind of like having a security blanket, and we want parents to know it's OK for their kids to use the Fire Department for that reason.''

That could help parents rest easier in the wake of the molestation last week of a 12-year-old girl at Valley Plaza Park in North Hollywood. Also, last week Burbank police arrested a 51-year-old man on suspicion of molesting a girl under 14.

Chulick said the skits are informative and entertaining. He helps to act them out.

``A guy sitting in a fake car, made by the kids, says, `Help me find my dog.' He grabs me and starts pulling my arm,'' Chulick said. ``Then, we stop the action and ask the kids, `What do you think I should do?' And we get them to say, Go to a safe house.

``We want them to know that we provide this service,'' he said. ``We hope that nobody has to use it, but if they do it's there. The emphasis is on children, but it's designed to help everyone.''

The Glendale Fire Department started its program in October, designating all nine fire stations as safe houses, said Mike Matlock, executive analyst for the department.

He said fliers were given to the schools for all students and parents, in three languages, and teachers explained the program to the youngsters.

``We made it user-friendly for the children,'' he said. ``If no one is at the station and they're lost, hurt or scared, they've all been instructed on how to use the red phone which goes to 911.

``They don't have to dial, it connects them automatically,'' Matlock said. ``We've lowered all the phones to child level.''

``Overall, it's a real benefit for the community,'' he said.

Glendale fire Capt. Bill Bailey said according to the safe house policy, ``if right now a kid came to the door, we'd immediately bring him into the station.''

He said depending on the situation, ``we'd intervene, provide medical attention or contact the police.''

``We see it as an extension of our mission to provide whatever emergency services the community needs and if we can provide one more service, then great,'' Bailey said.

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PHOTO Burbank fire Inspector Kelly Chulick stands by the ``Safe House'' sign informing children they can seek help or shelter at city stations.

John Lazar/Daily News