Offutt prepares for Fire Prevention Week

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carrie Peasinger
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  In an effort to better educate the Offutt community about smoke alarm recommendations and fire prevention, the Offutt Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association for this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, held Oct. 3-9.

The Offutt Fire Department, which consists of a 62 civilian member team, will be hosting educational events for Bellevue Elementary School classes, from kindergartens to 2nd graders, during fire prevention week. They will demonstrate fire safety for the students, hand out coloring books and other items that illustrate fire safety and Sparky the fire dog will also make an appearance.

"The kids really enjoy interacting with the firefighters and seeing the equipment we use," said Santiago Olmeda-Pinero Jr., assistant fire chief for fire prevention here.

The fire department will also hold an open house Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. During this time, families can enjoy free food and beverages, bounce houses, a face painter and various fire safety activities.

These events will help to promote this year's Fire Prevention Week theme of "Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!", and help Offutt residents and employees understand NFPA's smoke alarm recommendations. Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents and employees can learn about the power of smoke alarms, newer options for installing and maintaining them properly, and ultimately, how to better protect their loved ones from fire.

"Many homes do not have any smoke alarms, not enough smoke alarms, alarms that are too old, or alarms that are not working," said David Eblin, fire chief of the Offutt Fire Department. "We want residents to understand that working smoke alarms are needed in every home, on every level, including the basement, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. And if the alarm is 10 years or older, it needs to be replaced."

According to Chief Eblin, smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. NFPA statistics show that working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire nearly in half. But they must be working properly to do so.

NFPA and the Offutt Fire Department agree that having interconnected alarms offer the best protection; when one sounds, they all do.

"Most people have a sense of complacency about smoke alarms because they already have one in their homes. Fire Prevention week provides an excellent opportunity to re-educate people about smoke alarms, new technologies and expanded options for installation and maintenance, said Judy Comoletti, division manager for NFPA public education. "Ultimately we want this year's campaign to serve as a call for action for households nationwide and to inspect their homes to ensure that their families have the full alarm protection that we recommend."

Offutt Fire Department offers the following tips for making sure smoke alarms are maintained and working properly:

· Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.

· If an alarm "chirps" warning that the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

· Replace all smoke alarms, including those that use ten year batteries, every ten years or sooner, if they do not respond properly when tested.

· Never move or disable a smoke alarm.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities on Offutt, click here. To learn more about the "Smoke Alarms: A sound You Can Live with!" visit NFPA's web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.