PRACTICE YOUR ESCAPE PLAN 2007 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
It’s time for Fire Prevention Week and from October 7-13, the Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD) joined forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other local organizations to remind local residents to “Practice Your Escape Plan.” During this year’s fire safety campaign, FWFD firefighters and local safety advocates spread the word about the dangers of home fires and teaching local residents how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs at four Open Houses throughout the City.
The first Open House was from 1:30-3:30 p.m., Sunday, October 7, at the Firefighter’s Museum and the Allen County Public Library Plaza, 226 West Washington Blvd. There was a type of Scavenger Hunt for children at this open house along with many hands-on activities and information to help families and individuals plan their route of escape during a fire. Families that completed all activities were entered into a drawing for a Peg-Perego Vehicle and fire-safety products. The FWFD Pipe & Drum Corps were on hand as well as firefighters demonstrating how to properly use a fire extinguisher. Partners for this event that participated besides the Museum and the Library include the St. Joseph Regional Burn Center; the Allen County Juvenile Firesetters Task Force; Northeast Indiana Burn Council; Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) of Allen County; American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana; Fire Police City County Federal Credit Union; State Farm Insurance; Insurance Women’s Association of Fort Wayne; Nowak Supply Company; and, Great Kids Make Great Communities.
The second Open House was from 6-8 p.m., Monday, October 8 at the Community Room at Fire Station 4, 4130 Lahmeyer Road. The third Open House was from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 9 at the Community Room at Fire Station 12, 6901 South Anthony Blvd. The fourth Open House was from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, October 10 at the Community Room at Fire Station 19, 10116 Covington Road. The WOWO Fire Drill was at 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 10 at St. Peter’s Lutheran School, 7810 Maysville Road.
According to the latest NFPA research, 3,030 people died in 2005 in home fires – that’s roughly eight people every day. Being alerted to a fire and knowing what to do to escape from one are extremely important, yet only 23% of households have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan.
“Many times when we speak to residents who have experienced a fire in their home, they recall becoming confused and disoriented by the conditions and severity of the situation – but they realized they needed to get out fast,” said Chief Pete Kelly. “Sometimes there are only seconds to escape, but there’s no question that having a plan in place that has been practiced saves precious time and makes survival more likely. We hoped that Fire Prevention Week prompted folks in our community to plan and practice their escape.”
Are you prepared for a fire? Although it’s difficult to prepare for the unexpected, reviewing the information below and taking action based on it to plan for a fire is strongly recommended… and don’t forget to practice your escape plan during Fire Prevention Week!
•Install working smoke alarms on every level; and inside and outside of each sleeping area
•Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside
•Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly
•Practice using the plan, at least twice a year
Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm; they may need help waking up.
If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to your closest exit, and if you run into smoke, turn and use another way out. If you must exit through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Don’t take time to pick up belongings; just get out and help others get out. Move fast but stay calm.
Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.
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