Offutt striving to protect your family from fire

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The Offutt Fire Department is once again teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to help educate the local community about fire prevention for this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, Oct. 9-15.

Fire Prevention Week was inspired by one of the worst fires in America - the Great Chicago fire of October 1871. President Calvin Coolidge declared the first Fire Prevention Week in 1925 as an official national observance.

This year's theme is, "protect your family from fire," and the fire protection flight will host several educational events on the importance of fire prevention.

"We'll be spreading the word that roughly 80 percent of U.S. fire deaths occur in home fires that can easily be prevented," said Santiago Olmeda-Pinero Jr., assistant fire chief. "With the implementation and practice of home escape plans as well as the use of smoke alarms, these deaths can be eliminated."

The Offutt Fire Department, which consists of more than 60 civilian team members, will participate in the Greater Omaha Safety Council Family Day, visit several local schools, host fire station tours and hand out coloring books and other educational items.

"We'll also have a fire safety display set up at the Base Exchange where information on home escape plans in the home, smoke detectors and fire safety will be provided to all customers," Olmeda-Pinero said. "In addition, several static displays will be set up at different locations throughout the base to provide information on fire safety as well."

The week-long event will conclude with the fire department's open house on Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fire fighters will open their facility for tours and offer food and beverages, bouncing house, clowns, face painting and various fire safety activities.

"Fred the Fireman, Sparky the Firedog, Patches and Pumper and Pluggie the Fire Hydrant will all make special appearances at the fire station," Olmeda-Pinero said.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week events this week at Offutt, click here. To find out more about the national program, please visit NFPA's website at www.firepreventionweek.org.