From the desk of the County Manager,

It was a milestone afternoon on Wednesday, as the Durham County Firearm Injury Prevention Partnership (FIPP) celebrated its 25th anniversary!

Our Durham County Department of Public Health hosted the event inside our Human Services Building, bringing together some of the wonderful partner organizations, Durham County residents, and others who have been helped by and have helped the FIPP.

“What began as a shared commitment to reduce gun violence has grown into a powerful network of neighbors, advocates, leaders, and organizations – united in the vision of a safer, more just community free from gun violence,” said Donna Rosser, MPH, FIPP Coordinator.

FIPP’s origins go back to 1999, with the founding resolution and formation of the Durham County Gun Safety Team (DCGST) by the Durham County Board of Health. Founded by Dr. Tamara Coyne-Beasley, a pediatrician and adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with the support of former DCoDPH Health Educator Joanie Ross, the team was built upon Coyne-Beasley’s community campaign, “Love Our Kids, Lock Your Guns.”

That was the beginning of coordinated community-based efforts to address the rising trend of deaths and injuries among children caused by unsecured firearms in the home.

The evolution of the DCGST into the FIPP followed this course:

• 2003 – North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System (NC-VDRS) Funded. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) received CDC funds to start the NC-VDRS program. NC-VDRS partnered with the Durham Police Department, Duke University, Duke Health, and Durham Public Health and established a specific Durham Community Advisory Board critical in the program’s start-up phase.
• 2004 – Launch of the Duke Children’s Primary Care Gun Safety Initiative. The DCGST partnered with Duke Children’s Primary Care to launch the Gun Safety Initiative, which integrates safe firearm storage counseling into annual well-child visits, as well as distributing free gun locks.
• 2015 – Durham VA Health Care System, Suicide Prevention Program Joins. The Durham VA began partnering with the team to provide a consistent supply of gun locks. This partnership also supports broader health efforts to reduce firearm injuries and suicides.
• 2018 – Participation in SKIPP Training and Regional Expansion. Members of the DCGST participated in Skills & Knowledge for Injury Prevention Partners (SKIPP) training through the UNC Gillings School of Public Health and in partnership with Orange County, a new team was established on the Durham model! A County Roadmap was also developed and published by the NCDHHS Injury Prevention Branch to guide other communities.
• 2019 – Duke Health Expands Gun Safey Initiative Beyond Children’s Primary Care. Firearm safety counseling for parents and distribution of gun locks expands and is now offered at over 30 practices in the Triangle region.
• 2020 - $200,000 Suicide Prevention Grant to Support Statewide Training. The team received this suicide prevention grant from the NCDHHS to support the creation of workshops for other counties. It also was able to provide Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM). Do date, 15 other counties have launched teams of their own.
• 2024 – DCGST Changes Name to Durham County Firearm Injury Prevention Partnership. This new name more clearly reflects its mission and public health focus on preventing firearm injuries.
• 2024 – FIPP Receives Funding to Launch Awareness Campaign on Firearms Stolen from Cars. The Durham County Board of Commissioners gave grant funding for public awareness campaign, which includes multimedia outreach and educational materials.

For over two decades, FIPP has supported firearm injury prevention through hundreds of presentations, community events, and outreach activities. The team has distributed more than 30,000 gun locks! All while also delivering educational materials and building lasting partnerships with healthcare providers, public agencies, and community organizations.

“For a quarter of a century, Durham County’s Firearm Injury Prevention Partnership has work tirelessly to reduce firearm injuries and promote gun safety in Durham County and across the State of North Carolina,” said DCoDPH Director Dr. Rod Jenkins. “Through partnerships with community leaders, grassroots organizations, health care professionals, law enforcement, and advocates - we are saving lives. This important work continues, and I am confident that Durham will continue to lead the way!”

A big part of Wednesday’s event was the bringing together of the past, present, and future of FIPP. Founder Dr. Coyne-Beasley flew in from her home in Alabama for the festivities – she was quick to say she still has a home in Durham! Ross, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award was on hand, telling everyone that no matter who they are “Gun violence impacts everyone.”

Other award winners were Duke Health pediatrician Dr. John Moses, Outstanding Healthcare Professional Award; Durham VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator Gary Cunha, Firearm Safety Champion Award; NCDHSS State Injury Epidemiologist Schott Preschodbell, Impactful Research Award; and Duke University SR Violence Recovery Specialist Demetrius Lynn, Inspiration Award. Congratulation to all!

Members of Duke University and Duke Health, the Durham VA, and the NC-VDRS presented on their on-going – and ever growing – work. Some of the other partner organizations who have been a part of this 25-year journey include: Alliance Health, AMI Kids, Durham County Justice Services, Duke Children’s Primary Care, Duke Health, Duke Trauma Services, Duke Violence Recovery System, City of Durham Police Department, Durham County Library, Durham County Department of Social Services, Durham Family Justice Center, Durham County Sheriff’s Office, Durham Housing Authority, Durham Public Schools, Family Connects Durham, Insight Human Services, Moms Demand Action, Project Build, Project Safe Neighborhoods, Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham, Safe Kids – Durham, and Concerned Citizens.

Over the years, the FIPP has been shaped by many hands and hearts. Together, we’ve raised awareness and taken action to prevent firearm injuries in Durham and beyond.

“As we mark this milestone, let’s take time to reflect on all we’ve accomplished, honor those who’ve helped lead the way, and look ahead with renewed resolve,” Rosser said. “The work isn’t finished – but neither is our hope, our momentum, and our community’s strength.”

If you’d like to learn more about FIPP you can visit:

• DCoDPH Gun Safety Program
• NCDHHS’ NC S.A.F.E. program
• NCDHHS’ Violent Death Reporting System
• Durham VA Suicide Prevention
• Duke University Gun Violence Prevention

And if you need a free gun lock, reach out to the Durham County Gun Safety Team at 919-560-7765 or drosser@dconc.gov.

Until next time,

Claudia Hager | County Manager