Your home should be a safe haven. But do you regularly check for home fire hazards?
The 2012 Fire Prevention Week campaign runs from October 7-13. The theme “Know Two Ways Out from Every Room” is all about keeping you, your family, and the Desert Lightning community safe from fire. You’ll find educational material and tip sheets on the leading causes of home fires, information about protecting your home and families with lifesaving technologies, and the importance of home escape planning at various locations around the installation during the annual campaign sponsored by the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services flight.
Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments, both military and civilian across the country. For more than 80 years, fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record. It commemorates the great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed more than 250 residents, left 100,000 more homeless, and destroyed more than 17,400 buildings.
“This year, we will concentrate our efforts on how to best provide continuous fire safety education and public awareness information as we strive to deliver world class fire emergency services,” said Lt. Col. John Tryon, 355th CES commander. “In 2010, Air Force fire departments responded to more than 88,000 calls for help. Itís a great honor to be part of this year’s campaign and we hope the entire Desert Lightning Team takes advantage of the free events scheduled throughout the week.”
“Saving lives is my number one priority,” said Scott Cline, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief. “My goal is to ensure every Airman and their family, civilians, contractors and our retirees who visit or live on the installation has accessibility to world class 911 services. It is my hope that all residents and visitors take advantage of the great fire safety opportunities as we celebrate Fire Prevention Week 2012”.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments across the country responded to nearly 369,500 home fires in 2010 resulting in 2,640 civilian deaths and 13,350 civilian injuries. Being alerted to the presence of fire safety in your home and knowing what to do to mitigate the situation is very important. With a little extra caution, preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating, electrical and smoking-materials – is within your power.
“The goal of the Davis-Monthan Fire Department is to assist assigned Airmen and their families on fire and life safety issues in the home by educating residents on how to identify and correct fire hazards where we live,” said Mr. Raymond LeClair, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme focuses on the importance for developing and practicing fire escape plans. Fire safety is more than education; it’s an attitude which could save the lives of you or your family.”
It is important to remember that fire safety starts in the home. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for an in-home fire safety visit, contact the D-M fire emergency services flight, fire prevention section at 228-4333/6027 to schedule an appointment.
