Smoke alarms: A sound you can live with!
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Goodfellow Fire Emergency Services will be out and about this week spreading the word on fire prevention and life safety for the 88th National Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme is "Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!"
During the week, firefighters will host a fire truck parade, a mobile safety house, Sparky the Fire Dog visits, a fire station open house and a firefighter competition muster.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 3,000 people die each year in home fires; many of those deaths can avoided with the proper smoke alarm protection.
"The goal of the Goodfellow Fire Emergency Services is to better educate the members of our community on fire and life safety issues," said Glenn Haffner, Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention. "Most people have a sense of complacency about smoke alarms or detectors because they already have one in their homes. This event provides an excellent opportunity to reeducate families about smoke alarms and the importance of home fire escape planning."
Through educational forums and family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the power of smoke alarms, newer options for installing and maintaining them properly and how to better protect their loved ones from fire.
While working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying by fire nearly in half, roughly two-thirds of all home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no or non-working smoke alarms.
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.
"That tragedy inspired reform across America, spurring new fire safety codes and public awareness campaigns," said Jason Garcia, Fire Inspector/Public Education Specialist. "Each year, the President of the United States, along with the National Fire Protection Association, declares the first week of October Fire Prevention Week."
To Chief Haffner, 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.
(Courtesy of 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Service)
2010 Fire Prevention Week Activities
Oct. 2: (10 a.m.) Fire Truck Parade through Lanham housing area on-base.
(11 a.m.) Fire Truck Parade through The Landings housing area off-base.
Oct. 4: (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Fire prevention education team with Sparky the Fire Dog at the Base Exchange
(3:30- 4:30 p.m.) Mobile Safety House at the School Age Program Center, building 927.
Oct. 5: (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Fire prevention education team with Sparky the Fire Dog at the Base Exchange
(3:30-4:30 p.m.) Mobile Safety House at the Youth Center, building 915.
Oct. 6: (9-11 a.m.) Fire Truck visit with Sparky the Fire Dog at the Child Development Center, building 906.
11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Mobile Safety House display at the Base Exchange.
Oct. 7: (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Retired Firefighter Luncheon at the Fire Station.
Oct. 8: (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) Fire Station Open House.
(11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Firefighter Competition Muster behind the Fire Station.
For more information, call the Fire Prevention section at (325) 654-3539 or (325) 654-5577