Fire Muster

A competitor hits a Kaiser sled during the 2014 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department Muster Oct. 9, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The force needed to move the sled simulates the force needed for firefighters to gain forcible entry into a structure. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Fire Muster

Firefighters from the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department pull a fire department vehicle Oct. 9, 2014, during the 2014 436th CES Fire Department Muster at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The muster was opened to all squadrons on base that wanted to submit a four-man team and was held during Fire Prevention Week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Fire Muster

Competitors throw buckets of water on a house during the 2014 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department Muster Oct. 9, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The objective of this event was to throw as much water on the roof until enough water had run off to fill up the drum barrel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Fire Muster

A team of competitors pull two charged fire hoses to a marked spot before spraying and knocking down cones Oct. 9, 2014 during the 2014 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department Muster at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The muster included five events that simulated job duties performed by firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Fire Muster

A team of competitors participate in the 2014 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department Muster Oct. 9, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The muster, held as part of Fire Prevention Week, simulates real on-the-job duties performed by firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Johnson)

Fire Muster

Spectators brave the rain to watch the start of a parade in honor National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 10, 2014, on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The parade and the Military Appreciation Day open house at the Fire Department closed out a busy schedule of events for the week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Larlee)

DAFB observes Fire Prevention Week

Published Oct. 14, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Nationwide, there have been 1,789 residential fire fatalities so far in 2014. The majority of these deaths could have been prevented with proper fire prevention procedures and education.

The week of Oct. 5 to 11, 2014, was designated as National Fire Prevention Week and the Dover AFB Fire Department teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association to educate Team Dover Airmen and their families on the importance of fire safety and prevention.

The week kicked off on Monday with 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Prevention Flight and Housing Office teaming up to host the Kickoff Bash. The agencies provided not only important information to over 200 Airmen and dependents, but also provided food, a bouncy castle, face painting and the Fire Safety and Education House.

The week also saw the 24th annual "Battle of the Badges" softball game and 3rd annual Armed Services Blood Drive, between the 436th Security Forces Squadron and the 436th CES Fire Emergency Services Flight. FES won the blood drive 42-20, but SFS dominated in the softball game, 9-1.

Wednesday of that week, Staff Sgt. Matthew S. Woods, 436th CES fire inspector, and the FES visited Welch Elementary School to present a fire education assembly to the students. Not only were the students taught the importance of fire safety, they were educated on who firefighters are, what fire is, what to do if they catch on fire and the importance of smoke detectors in the home.

"In a fire, seconds count," said Woods. "Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out."

Fire Prevention Week concluded on Saturday with a parade through base housing and the Military Appreciation Day open house at the Fire Department.

Overall, Team Dover's participation in National Fire Prevention Week turned out to be a great success.