Offutt Fire Department urges residents to "Have Two Ways Out!"

  • Published
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association, one-third of Americans households who made and estimate they thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. Unfortunately, the time available is often less.

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

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.

"One home structure was reported every 85 seconds in 2010," said Bill Dudek, Offutt Fire Department's assistant chief. "Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways is essential to ensuring your family's safety should fire break out in your home."

Offutt's Fire Department recommends the following tips for planning your family's escape:

· Make a map of your home.
· Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
· Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they've escaped.
· Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
· Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department on your escape plan.
· Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
· Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind grown-ups to have your family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.

The Offutt Fire Department will be hosting activities during Fire Prevention Week to promote "Have Two Ways Out!" Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of fire escape planning and practice, as well as the power of prevention.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Oct. 7:
· Participation at Greater Omaha Safety Council Family Safety Day 2012.
· Demonstrate Offutt AFB fire safety house and display fire truck

Oct. 9:
· Fire station tours for local schools (8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
· Station # 2 visit and fire drill at Child Development Center (10 a.m.)

Oct. 10:
· Fire station tours for local schools (8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)

Oct. 11:
· Fire station tours for local schools (8:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
· Station # 1 visit and fire drill at Child Development Center (10 a.m.)
· Station # 2 visit and fire drill at Youth Center (1600)

Oct. 12:
· Fire station tours for local schools (8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)

Oct. 13:
· Fifth annual fire station open house At the Main Fire Station on Base (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
· Cookies and refreshments
· Fun and activities for all ages
· Bouncing (castle) fire dog
· Fire extinguisher training
· Escape plans for kids and adults
· Smoke alarm information
· Fire safety house
· Fire truck displays
· Clown with face painting
· Live Fire and vehicle accident demos
· Sparky the Firedog,
· Patches & Pumper

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities on Offutt, please contact the Offutt Fire Department at 294-5522. To learn more about "Have Two Ways Out!" visit NFPA's website at www.firepreventionweek.org.