OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The Offutt Fire Department fostered community and base awareness as part of National Fire Prevention Week, held Oct. 7-11, 2024.
This year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You!” The firefighters focused on educating base personnel and local youth about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home, by teaching the simple but critical steps they can take to make sure their homes have smoke alarms in all needed locations and that they’re working properly.
Local elementary schools had over 1000 children and teachers tour the fire department as part of the week’s events. The children toured a trailer that simulates kitchen fires and other disaster related events for training.
“We love coming out here,” said Carrie Weaver, kindergarten teacher at Birchcrest Elementary. “This is my 17th time bringing kids out here. They do a good job, the house that filled up with smoke is new this year, it was awesome!”
They were also shown a fire safety video focusing on smoke alarms, a demonstration of a firefighter in full gear, Sparky the fire dog, and finished off the tour with a fire engine spraying water.
“My favorite part was the fire alarm going off and crawling out of the trailer,” said Joey, a kindergarten student at Birchcrest. “It was cool.”
The fire department also had events going on at the Base Exchange, the Early Childhood Center in Bellevue, Twin Ridge and Rising View to spread fire safety awareness. Terry Haese, 55th Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector, estimated that the department interacted with over 3500 people during the course of the week.
“Our firefighter team works hard several months in advance coordinating with the local schools to set up a schedule,” said Lucas Lechtenberg, 55th CES fire chief. “I think it’s a huge impact on the kids. They talk about it with their families and bring those safety messages home. We’re happy to be able to do it, to get the message out and make sure they are being fire safe at home.”
According to nfpa.org, the website of the National Fire Prevention Association, Fire Prevention Week originated as a result of a massive Chicago fire that occurred on Oct. 8, 1871. This horrific tragedy claimed the lives of more than 250 people. It also left 100,000 people homeless, ruined 174,000 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.
This prompted public officials and firefighters to disseminate information about the importance of fire safety to the public on the anniversary of this massacre. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson declared a proclamation that observes the Sunday prior to Oct. 9 through the following Saturday as Fire Prevention Week.
Lechtenberg concluded, “Make sure you’re checking your smoke detectors at your house, make sure they have batteries, are operational, and less than 10 years old.”