Fire Prevention Week

“Sparky,” the fire dog, and a group of children walk from the Child Development Center to the parking lot where a group of Malmstrom firefighters were on hand to tell the children about fire safety and let them sit in the driver’s seat during a fire education display Oct. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton)

Fire Prevention Week

Tech. Sgt. Gregory DeMarco, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, and “Sparky” the fire dog share some fire safety tips with children from the toddler class during a fire education display at the Child Development Center Oct. 6 for Fire Prevention Week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton)

Fire Prevention Week

Senior Airman Jaime Gutierrez, 341st Security Forces Squadron member, and his three-year-old daughter Viannai get “9-1-1” lollypops from Senior Airman Mark Martin, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter. Airman Martin also handed out play hats, information booklets and activity books with crayons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Dillon White)

Fire Prevention Week

Malmstrom firefighters wave to youth and throw candy as they parade through base housing Oct. 9 as part of National Fire Safety Week. The annual fire truck parade brought firefighters and trucks from Sand Coulee, Great Falls, Black Eagle and the Montana Air National Guard to name a few. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Dillon White)

Fire Prevention Week

“Sparky” the fire dog waves to Malmstrom youth from Great Falls Fire Rescue “Tower Ten,” a 100-foot ladder truck, during a fire truck parade in base housing Oct. 9. Also on board the 100-foot ladder truck with Sparky is Jason Baker, GFFR engineer, who has been driving fire trucks for Great Falls for 10 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Dillon White)

Local youth benefit from weeklong fire prevention campaign

Published Oct. 15, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The Malmstrom Fire Emergency Service and the National Fire Protection Association teamed up for Fire Prevention Week 2010 Oct. 3 through Oct. 9. The weeklong campaign focused on the importance of fire safety and prevention to Air Force Global Strike Command youth and their families by making trips to Loy Elementary School, the Child Development Center, Base Exchange, library and other buildings around the installation. This year's theme was "Smoke Alarms: A sound you can live with."

Smoke alarms are a very important means of preventing home fire fatalities by providing an early-warning signal so families are able to escape. According to the United States Fire Administration, an estimated 385,500 fires occur in residential buildings every year.

"Fire Prevention week is important because it is a dedicated time to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention," said Ricky Naccarato, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron fire prevention assistant chief. "It's been done since 1925, after President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation. According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record."

Eighty-five years after its inception, Fire Prevention Week is still an actively supported observation. By continuing to share the importance of fire safety and prevention to children around the country, fire departments are raising awareness to generations who will ultimately do the same for others.

"The message we wanted children to learn throughout the week was that they play a major role in maintaining fire safety by taking home the message we are promoting about fire prevention and passing it on to their parents," Mr. Naccarato said. "This can help reduce the possibilities of fire or injury due to fire even minimally, which makes the week a success."

To minimize potential hazards in the home, the fire fighters reiterated their theme of effectively testing and maintaining smoke alarms throughout the week. Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month by using the "test button" on the device. Batteries in smoke detectors should be replaced once a year, or as soon as the alarm "chirps," warning the battery is low. By ensuring the smoke alarm is working properly, families can increase their response time in case of a fire and evacuate more efficiently.

"Always remember to check your smoke detectors," Mr. Naccarato said. "Plan your escape, have two ways out and call 9-1-1 for all emergencies."

Some other helpful fire safety and prevention tips are listed below:

· Keep lighters and matches away from children.

· Never leaving cooking unattended.

· Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.

· Be sure to have an escape plan. Review escape routes with family.

· In the event of a fire, stay low to the floor.

· If your clothes catch on fire, remember to stop, drop, and roll.

· Test and clean smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.