Fire Prevention Week 2007 Published Oct. 5, 2007 By Davis-Monthan AFB Fire Department DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE -- Is your family prepared to escape from your house in the event of a fire? The theme for Fire Prevention Week 2007, "Practice Your Escape Plan," reminds all of us to ask that simple question. During this year's fire safety campaign firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers associated with fires in the home. Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record. "Helping the base populace prevent fires and injuries in their homes are key goals that drive the process we follow in fire protection," said Fire Chief Scott Cline. "Fire Prevention Week is one of the times during the year that we concentrate our efforts to reach out to the community and provide up close and personal fire safety education." Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 7 to 13 and is designated by Presidential Proclamation annually. The Davis-Monthan Fire Department uses Fire Prevention Week to host local activities and events to educate the public and raise awareness of key fire safety issues. "The goal of the Davis-Monthan Fire Department is to help local residents focus on fire and life safety issues in the home by assisting residents in the development and practice of escape plans," said Mr. Raymond LeClair, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention. "This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is designed to aid residents in developing an emergency escape plan and to practice the steps that could save the lives of their families." According to the National Fire Protection Association there were 3,030 people died in house fires in 2005-that's roughly eight people every day. Being alerted to the presence of a fire in your home and knowing what to do to escape from a fire are very important. However, yet only 23 percent of households have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan. Are you prepared to escape from a fire in your home? Although it is difficult to prepare for the unexpected, reviewing the information below and following the recommended actions can help to save the lives of your family ... and do not forget to practice your escape plan during Fire Prevention Week! Fire Escape Plan Actions: · Install working smoke alarms on every level and inside of each sleeping area. · Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside of the house. · Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly. Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not wake up to the sound of a smoke alarm; they may need help waking up. · Practice using the plan at least twice a year · If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to your closest exit, if you run into smoke, turn around and use another way out. If you must exit through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Do not take the time to pick up belongings; just get out and help others get out. Move fast and stay calm. "We often hear from residents that have experienced a fire in their home that they recall becoming disoriented by the conditions and severity of the situation-but realized that they needed to get out fast," said Mr. LeClair. "Sometimes there are only seconds to escape a fire, so there is no question that having a practiced escape plan in place can save time and make survival more likely. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will prompt the members of our community to plan and practice an escape drill in their homes." The following is a list of scheduled activities that will take place during Fire Prevention Week: · October 8 (Monday) 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Davis-Monthan Fire Department fire truck static display at the base Commissary. Blood pressure checks, public information, and fire extinguisher demonstrations. · October 9 (Tuesday) 9 to 11 a.m. Firefighter visit to the Child Development Center (Bldg 2614). Davis-Monthan Fire Department fire truck static display and fire extinguisher demonstrations. · October 9 (Tuesday) 2 to 4 p.m. Firefighter visit to the Child Development Center (Bldg 2612). Davis-Monthan Fire Department fire truck static display and fire extinguisher demonstrations. · October 10 (Wednesday) 8:30 to 11 a.m. Mini-firefighter Challenge at Bormon Elementary School. Events include; hose crawl, bunker relays, smoke detector drill, and fire vehicle static displays. Sparky the fire dog will be in attendance! · October 10 (Wednesday) 12 to 2 p.m. Fire vehicle static displays and Sparky the fire dog for the Kindergarten. · October 11 (Thursday) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Child Safety Car Seat Class and courtesy car seat inspection at the Base Chapel. · October 12 (Friday) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Davis-Monthan Fire Department fire truck static display at the Base Exchange. Blood pressure checks, public information, fire extinguisher demonstrations, and fire detection and suppression items sponsored by the Base Exchange. · October 13 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Please stop by and visit your base fire department. It is important to remember that fire safety starts in the home and can greatly lessen the possibility of injury and property damage; let us help you keep your home fire safe. Call the Davis-Monthan Fire Prevention office at 228-6027 to get more information or schedule an appointment.