Page 3 - Desert Lightning News October 2015

Desert Lightning News
Fire Prevention Week 2015
Commentary by Raymond LeClair
355th Civil Engineer Squadron
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE
BASE, Ariz. -- When was the last time
you tested the smoke alarms in your
home? Was it last week, last month, a
year ago?
The 2015 Fire Prevention Week cam-
paign will run from Oct. 4-10. This year’s
theme is “Hear the BEEP where you
SLEEP: Every Bedroom Needs A Work-
ing Smoke Alarm!” It is all about keeping
you, your family and the Desert Light-
ning community safe from a fire.
If you’re like many people, you may
not remember the last time you tested
your smoke alarm. Smoke alarms have
become such a common feature of U.S.
households that they’re often taken for
granted, and not tested and maintained
as frequently as they should be.
Working smoke alarms are a critical
fire safety tool that can mean the differ-
ence between life and death in a home
fire. According to the nonprofit Nation-
al Fire Protection Association, smoke
alarms can reduce the chances of dying
in a home fire by half. Meanwhile, NFPA
data shows that home fires killed more
than 2,755 people in 2013. Many of these
deaths could have been prevented with
the proper smoke alarm protection.
As a member of the fire service for 27
years, I’ve seen the devastating effects of
fire firsthand; the burn injuries, the loss
of homes and the destruction of other
people’s possessions are distressing.
What’s even worse is witnessing a fam-
ily’s anguish after a loved one has been
killed in a fire. It’s heartbreaking.
“This year, we will concentrate our ef-
forts on how to best provide continuous
fire safety education and public aware-
ness information as we strive to deliver
world class fire emergency services,”
said Todd Canale, 355th Civil Engineer
Squadron fire chief. “It’s a great honor to
be part of this year’s campaign and we
hope the entire Desert Lightning Team
takes advantage of the free events sched-
uled throughout the week.”
My sincere hope is that the entire Da-
vis-Monthan community participates in
one or more of our Fire Prevention Week
activities, and makes sure that there are
working smoke alarms installed through-
out their homes. These simple steps can
help make a lifesaving difference, and
October 2, 2015
www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
Facebook.com/DesertLightningNews
Sparky the Fire Dog, National Fire Protection Association spokesdog, and members from the 355th Fire Emergency Servic-
es flight teach children from the Child Development Center how to stop, drop and roll at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base,
Ariz., Oct. 8, 2014. Sparky and pumper will be at the Child Development Center Oct. 6-7, 2015 for the 2015 Fire Prevention
Week campaign.
prevent the potentially life-threatening
impact of fire.
Here are additional smoke alarm tips
to follow:
· Install smoke alarms in every bed-
room, outside each separate sleeping
area, and on every level of the home, in-
cluding the basement.
· Interconnect all smoke alarms
throughout the home. When one sounds,
they all sound.
· Test alarms each month by pushing
the test button.
· Replace all smoke alarms that do not
work properly.
· Make sure everyone in the home
knows the sound and understands what
to do when they hear the smoke alarm.
To learn more about the “Hear the
BEEP where you SLEEP: Every Bedroom
Needs A Working Smoke Alarm!” cam-
paign, visit NFPA’s web site at www.
firepreventionweek.org.
The following is a list of scheduled ac- tion trailer and Sparky
tivities that will take place during Fire
Prevention Week:
· Monday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Com-
missary
Fire Truck static display, Blood Pres-
sure checks, Fire Safety information
· Tuesday 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Child De-
3
NEWS
velopment Center Bldg. 2612
Fire Truck static display with Sparky &
Pumper
· Wednesday 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Child
Development Center Bldg. 2614
Fire truck static display with Sparky &
Pumper
· Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. AAF-
ES Main Exchange
Fire truck static display, blood pres-
sure checks, fire safety information, fire
extinguisher demonstrations, child safe-
ty seat demonstration and Fire Detection
and Suppression items sponsored by
AAFES
· Friday 9 to 11 a.m. School Age Pro-
gram Bldg. 6006
Fire truck static display, Public Educa-
tion trailer and Sparky
· Friday 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Youth Center
Bldg. 6000
Fire truck static display, Public Educa-
It is important to remember that fire
safety starts in the home. If you have
any questions or would like to arrange
an in-home fire safety visit, please con-
tact the Davis-Monthan Fire Emergency
Services Flight, Fire Prevention section
at 228-4333 or 228-6027 to schedule an
appointment.