News

Fire prevention week encourages residents to "have two ways out"

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to a faint orange glow and dull roar. The ceiling is a cloud of black billowing smoke that burns the eyes and chokes the throat. A fire is raging and your family is still asleep - how much time is left to save them?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, one-third of American families who made an estimate thought that they would have at least six minutes before a home fire would become life-threatening. All too commonly, the time is much less, and the results are disastrous. In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries; 2,640 civilian deaths; and $6.9 billion in direct damage.

That is why Team Dover's fire department is teaming up with the NFPA during National Fire Prevention Week October 7-13, 2012, to urge residents to "Have Two Ways Out!" This year's theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.

"One home-structure fire was reported every 85 seconds in 2010," said Staff Sgt. Robert Russell, fire inspector with the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways out is essential to ensuring your family's safety, should fire break out in your home."

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people and left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.

While fire protection services have improved since 1871, the responsibility for residents to be on guard for threats remains the same. The NFPA recommends that residents: make a map of their home that includes two exits, and designate a meeting place outside and in front of their home; sound the smoke alarm and practice their escape plan with their family at least twice per year; and keep their escape plan pinned to the refrigerator and accessible at all times.

"The base fire department will be there if an emergency strikes, but by practicing good fire prevention habits, you can help stop emergencies before they happen," said Russell.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities on base, contact the fire department at (302) 677-4401. To learn more about "Have Two Ways Out!" visit NFPA's web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.

This year's Fire Prevention Week events are listed below:

Monday, Oct. 8:
Holiday; no activities

Tuesday, Oct. 9:
6:30 a.m. - Sparky and Smokey at the Main Gate
8-10 a.m. - Information table at the Shopette
3-5 p.m. - Kickoff Bash at the Hunt Community Center

Wednesday, Oct. 10:
6:30 a.m. - Sparky and Smokey at the North Gate
8-10 a.m. - Static display at the Base Exchange
10:30-11:30 a.m. - Sparky reading at the Base Library
1:15 p.m. - Visit Welch Elementary School
5 p.m. - "Battle of the Badges" softball game; 436th Security Forces Squadron vs. 436th CES Fire Department at Field 1

Thursday, Oct. 11:
9:30-11:30 a.m. - School tour at the Fire Station
1 p.m. - Muster at the Fire Station

Friday, Oct. 12:
10 a.m.-3 p.m. - "Battle of the Badges" Blood Drive at the Base Theater
10 a.m. - Fire drill at the Child Development Center with Sparky and a fire truck
3 p.m. - Fire drill at the Youth Center with Sparky and a fire truck

Saturday, Oct. 13:
10 a.m. - Base housing parade
11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Fire Department open house