U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika

Col. Richard Boutwell (front), 99th Air Base Wing commander, reviews the National Fire Prevention
Week proclamation with members of the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron prior to signing it at Nellis
Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 6. The theme of this year’s National Fire Prevention Week, which brings
awareness to fire safety and prevention, is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep” which encourages
individuals to ensure they have a working smoke alarm in every room.

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Nellis AFB’s National Fire Prevention Week, hosted by the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron Nellis-Creech Fire and Emergency Services, kicked off here Oct. 4 and will officially wrap up Oct. 10.
The theme of this year’s campaign is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep” which encourages individuals to ensure they have a working smoke alarm in every room.
“’Hear the Beep Where You Sleep’ is important because smoke detectors save lives,” said Norman Harp, 99th CES fire inspector. “Smoke detectors provide people a chance to escape during a fire. Half of home-fire deaths happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Also, children and some older adults may need help waking up. Most children do not wake up to standard smoke detectors.”
National Fire Prevention Week helps bring awareness to fire safety and prevention.
“Every year, nationwide over 3,000 people die and 17,500 people are injured from fires,” said Harp. “Fires also cause over $11.7 billion in damages in the U.S.”
During National Fire Prevention Week, fire departments around the country go out into their local communities to spread the fire safety prevention message.
“The fire department will go to the schools and public places around Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases teaching fire safety practices and demonstrating how to react in case of a fire,” said Irvin Ridgeway, 99th CES fire inspector.
At Nellis AFB, the fire department had displays with literature set up at the Exchange, Sparky the Fire Dog visited the child development centers and Lomie G. Heard Elementary School as well as Creech AFB. Nellis-Creech Fire and Emergency Services personnel also gave tours of the fire housesthroughout the day.
The goal for the Nellis-Creech Fire Emergency Services is to get the word out and let people know that most fires can be prevented.
“More fires are started by a simple act that could easily be prevented,” said Harp. “We are trying to get the awareness out to help prevent that simple act.”
Throughout the year, the Nellis-Creech Fire Emergency Services provides fire inspections of all the facilities on Nellis and Creech AFBs. The Fire Prevention section is also available to answer any questions that members of the Nellis and Creech AFBs community might have in regards to fire safety at 702-652-9630.
Harp would like to remind people to test the smoke detectors in their home on a monthly basis.
“First, test your smoke detectors monthly. Also, do fire drills in your home,” said Harp. “It is important for children to know exactly what to do when a smoke detector sounds or when there is fire in the home. Have a predesignated meeting location once you evacuate your house, that way you can ensure everyone is out.”
To report fires on Nellis and Creech AFBs, dial 911 or dial 702-404-0911 if calling from a cellphone.
“If you live in base housing contact your landline phone provider and let them know you live on Nellis AFB. They can update your record to ensure your 911 calls come directly to Nellis-Creech Fire Dispatch and not Clark County,” said Harp.
Contact the Nellis-Creech Fire Prevention Office at 702-652-9630 for more information.
Nellis-Creech Fire Emergency Services Fire Prevention Office also has a Twitter account “@NCFES_FPO” and a Facebook page “Nellis-Creech Fire Emergency Services” where they distribute fire and life safety messages and other important messages for the Nellis and Creech communities.