The safety of people can be the most important investment we can make. From small children to seniors, teens to tweens, each of us has been touched by an incident involving injury to a friend or loved one. We can't go even a few days without hearing about someone being injured in the newspaper, on television, or in an online news story. Injuries are preventable...and that's why we're here!

* denotes South Florida Chapter event

The Second Safety Congress was held in New York City, with 200 in attendance. The delegates created the National Council for Industrial Safety, "a clearinghouse of safety information available to all concerned." One year later, the name of the organization was changed to National Safety Council to reflect a broader focus including traffic safety and other non-industrial safety issues.

The Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce initiated a National Conference on Street and Highway Safety, resulting in the Uniform Vehicle Code, a model for traffic laws in all states. The first issue of "Public Safety" magazine was published. It was renamed "Traffic Safety" in 1957.

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called on the NSC to "mobilize its nationwide resources in leading a concerted and intensified campaign against accidents, and to call upon every citizen, in public or private capacity, to enlist in this campaign and do his part in preventing wastage of human and material resources of the nation through accidents."

During the 1940's, the Council's Motion Picture and Radio Committee enlisted more than 80 stars of screen and radio to record safety features.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved an Act of Congress that granted a Congressional Charter to the National Safety Council, formally recognizing the Council's leadership in coordinating safety efforts. In 1961, the first issue of "Family Safety" magazine was published. Now titled "Family Safety & Health", the magazine today reaches more than two million homes.

Started by the Broward County Junior League as a community project, the idea of a Citizens Safety Council was born. Incorporated in 1966, several community business leaders joined together to form The Broward County Citizens Safety Council, Inc., with a focus on improving the safety and welfare of Broward's residents. Later, the name was changed to the National Safety Council, Broward Chapter.

The Council launched the first Defensive Driving Course, adapted from techniques used by professional drivers. Today, more than 50 million drivers worldwide have taken the course. In 1971, the Council published the first edition of "Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene", which today remains the definitive text on the subject.

At the request of the National Transportation Safety Board, the Council implemented the Operation Lifesaver Program to reduce injuries and fatalities at railroad-highway grade crossings. In 1981, the first annual "Make It Click" safety belt campaign was launched. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan named Council President Vincent Tofany to the newly formed Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving.

The Council became the parent host to the National Commission Against Drunk Driving, created to carry out recommendations of the former Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving. In 1990, the Council launched the First Aid Institute. More than seven million people have since been trained in first aid and CPR.

The Council led the Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign in partnership with more than 150 corporations and organizations, increasing seat belt usage by 19 million people in its first two years, and reducing child deaths from air bags by 94%.

The Florida DHSMV approved the NSC of Broward to provide DUI Substance Abuse Remediation. Currently, this is one of only three such programs licensed to operate in Broward County.

With the National Safety Council Dade County Chapter filing bankruptcy and the Palm Beach and Southwest Florida Chapters leaving the NSC network and going independent, the National Safety Council approved the Broward Chapter to expand its geographic territory to all of South Florida.

Return To Top

The National Safety Council of South Florida believes more than half of the incidents and injuries to people are preventable. It is our mission to build collaborative relationships and to convene those community leaders who have an interest in creating "Programs for Safer Living!"

Keeping our Community Safe

The National Safety Council (NSC) South Florida Chapter is a non-profit charitable organization. Its primary mission is to conduct research and provide education to create a safer community for our children, tweens/teens, and seniors!

Drive Safe Florida!

A campaign of the NSC, focused on improving driver safety by working with community groups and federal, state, and local officials. Programs include a state-approved DUI Remediation Program, state-approved Drivers' Education Teen Program, and Traffic Ticket School.

Return To Top

Board of Directors

• Jay J. Ryan, Enterprise Leasing
• John Albert, Waste Management
• Geoff Bunnell, Cummings Construction, A Paverni Company
• Tony Newbold, Florida Power & Light
• Cristina Kitterman, Rothstein, Rosenfeldt & Adler
• Polly Wilkie, Community Bank

Board of Advisors

• Nancy Botero, Broward Community College
• Dwight Stephenson, D. Stephenson Construction
• Scott Bennett, Bennett Auto Supply
• Ron Klein, Member of Congress
• Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Member of Congress
• Ari Porth, Florida State Representative
• Adam Hasner, Florida State Representative
• Ted Deutch, Florida State Senator
• Howard Forman, Broward Clerk of the Courts

Executive Management

• Don Mains - Executive Director, Substance Abuse Prevention Programs
• Robert Petersen - Manager, Driver Improvement Programs
• Felicia Cooper - Manager, DUI & Traffic School

Return To Top