Fire prevention week 2015

  • Published
  • 17th Civil Engineer Squadron
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Service Flight invites all Goodfellow personnel to celebrate over 140 years of National Fire Prevention Week.

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, which killed more than 250 people and left 100,000 people homeless.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,298,000 fires in 2014.
These fires resulted in 3,275 civilian fire fatalities, 15,775 civilian fire injuries and an estimated $11.6 billion in direct property loss. There was a civilian fire death every 2 hours and 41 minutes and a civilian fire injury every 33 minutes in 2014.

For this year’s slogan, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep.”

“Over 380,000 American residential properties were destroyed or damaged by fire last year alone,” said Mr. Jason Garcia, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Service Flight Assistant Chief of Prevention. “Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to remind everyone about protecting yourself, loved ones and property from fire loss.”

Goodfellow firefighters are scheduled to participate in daily events to help educate youth and adults on the installation including a firefighter competition open to any base personnel and family.

“This is a great opportunity for folks to enjoy a friendly competition and get in some good exercise,” said Billy Clemons, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector.

Teams of four work together to complete an obstacle course designed to simulate firefighter practices such as hose rolling and patient litter carry. The team with the best time receives a $100 prize as well as the coveted firefighter trophy. The 17th Communications Squadron is set to defend the title as the current muster champs.

Courtesy hotdogs and refreshments will be provided for both spectators and competitors. A bouncy castle will also be available for age-appropriate children.

Goodfellow FES FPW campaign schedule includes the following:

5 Oct.
7 to 8 a.m. Sparky and Firefighters greet visitors at the South Gate.

6 Oct.
8:30 to 10 a.m. Fire truck visit with Sparky at the Child Development Center.
9 to 10 a.m. Story time with a firefighter at the base library.
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fire Truck and Sparky at National Night Out for Safety at the Landings

7 Oct.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fire prevention and education team at the Exchange.

8 Oct.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fire prevention and education team with mobile safety house at the Base Exchange.
4:00 to 5 p.m. Mobile safety house and Sparky visit School Age and Youth Center

9 Oct.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Firefighter competition-muster and open house at the Base Fire Station.
For questions regarding FPW activities, call 325-654-5577.