Fire Prevent Week highlights fire, life safety issues
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
Goodfellow Fire Emergency Services will be out and about this week spreading the word on fire prevention and life safety for the 89th National Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme is, "It's Fire Prevention Week. Protect Your Family From Fire!"
"In 2009, 2,565 people died in home fires," said Jason A. Garcia, Fire Inspector/Public Education Specialist. "Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan, keeping things that can burn away from the stove, and always turning off space heaters before going to bed. Fire is a dangerous opponent, but by anticipating the hazards, you are much less likely to be one of the nearly 13,000 people injured in home fires each year."
"The goal of the Goodfellow Fire Emergency Services is to better educate the members in our community on fire and life safety issues," said Glenn Haffner, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention. "This year' campaign focuses on preventing the leading cause of residential fires - cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. This event provides an excellent opportunity to reeducate families about smoke alarms, the importance of home fire escape planning and home fire sprinklers."
Through educational forums and family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the power of prevention and available technologies to protect their own families from fire.
During the week, firefighters will host a fire truck parade, a mobile safety house demonstration, Sparky the Fire Dog visits, a fire station open house and a firefighter competition muster.
Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871, a two-day blaze that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 more homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings.
Haffner said even though Fire Prevention Week is an event recognized each October, fire safety and prevention should be a constant thought and practiced year round.
"It could save your life," he said.
2011 Fire Prevention Week Activities
(Courtesy of 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services)
"In 2009, 2,565 people died in home fires," said Jason A. Garcia, Fire Inspector/Public Education Specialist. "Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan, keeping things that can burn away from the stove, and always turning off space heaters before going to bed. Fire is a dangerous opponent, but by anticipating the hazards, you are much less likely to be one of the nearly 13,000 people injured in home fires each year."
"The goal of the Goodfellow Fire Emergency Services is to better educate the members in our community on fire and life safety issues," said Glenn Haffner, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention. "This year' campaign focuses on preventing the leading cause of residential fires - cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. This event provides an excellent opportunity to reeducate families about smoke alarms, the importance of home fire escape planning and home fire sprinklers."
Through educational forums and family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the power of prevention and available technologies to protect their own families from fire.
During the week, firefighters will host a fire truck parade, a mobile safety house demonstration, Sparky the Fire Dog visits, a fire station open house and a firefighter competition muster.
Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871, a two-day blaze that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 more homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings.
Haffner said even though Fire Prevention Week is an event recognized each October, fire safety and prevention should be a constant thought and practiced year round.
"It could save your life," he said.
2011 Fire Prevention Week Activities
- Oct. 11, 8:30-10 a.m. - Fire Truck visit with Sparky at the Child Development Center
- Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Fire prevention education team with Sparky at the Base Exchange
- Oct. 11, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Mobile Safety House, fire truck visit with Sparky at the School Age Program Center
- Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Fire prevention education team with Sparky at the Base Exchange
- Oct. 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Mobile Safety House, fire truck visit with Sparky at the Youth Center
- Oct. 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Retired firefighter luncheon at the Fire Station
- Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. - Fire Station Open House
- Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - Firefighter Competition Muster behind the Fire Station
- Oct. 15, 10 a.m. - Fire Truck Parade thru Lanham housing area on base
- Oct. 15, 11 a.m. - Fire Truck Parade thru The Landings housing area off base
(Courtesy of 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services)
