Stop, drop, roll: Fire education keeps families from getting burned

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rochelle Sollars
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Imagine losing one's family in a house fire because food was cooking on the stove unattended.

It happens more than some would think: it's the No. 1 cause of fires in base housing.

"Our leading cause of fires on base is unattended cooking," said Joe Willett, 19th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of fire prevention. "Educate all the members of your home to be fire safe and think fire safety at all times; make it a habit, a daily event."

Base Firefighters and leaders are working to prevent fires by educating base members through National Fire Prevention Week activities Oct. 3 to 9.

The dates were chosen to commemorate the great Chicago fire of 1871, which killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 people homeless and destroyed more than 17,400 buildings.

"The goal is to get people to be fire safe at all times to lessen the chance of unwanted fires," said Mr. Willett.

This year's theme is "Smoke alarms: A sound you can live with."

"The theme focuses on smoke alarms and the importance of their operation in alerting everyone to a possible fire, smoke or emergency condition that needs attention or evacuation from a home or place of business," said.

Mr. Willett said some of the other fire trends the fire department crews would like to educate people about are: calling 911 for all emergencies; practicing a home evacuation plan; and testing smoke detector in homes at least monthly.

There are also measures people can take to prevent fires at work.

"Keep workplaces orderly and clean of clutter. Look around you and know the locations of the nearest fire extinguisher and fire alarm activation station," said Mr. Willett. "If you do evacuate your facility, have 100 percent accountability."

Throughout the week the 19th CES fire department will target children and adults at locations around the base to promote fire prevention and safety.

"Bring the family out and enjoy our activities," said Mr. Willett. "Take a picture with Sparky, tour the fire trucks and collect free fire prevention items."

Base events planned for National Fire Prevention Week:

Oct. 2 
- Noon to 1 p.m. - Sparky hands out fire prevention literature at the base exchange

Oct. 4
- Fire drills are conducted at various dormitories, facilities and Army and Air Force Exchange Service businesses
- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Fire trucks, a hazardous material trailer, a Stryker crash vehicle and fire-fighting equipment are on display at the parking lot of Bldg. 868
- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Ongoing fire safety lectures and movies at Bldg. 868

Oct. 5
- 10 a.m. to noon - Fire truck display at shoppette and Popeye's Restaurant
- 2 to 3 p.m. - Sparky and truck crews hand out fire prevention materials at the Base Exchange

Oct. 6
- 10 a.m. to noon - Fire truck display at Hangar 1080
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Sparky and truck crews hand out fire prevention materials at the commissary

Oct. 7
- "Sparky" visits child care centers at Bldg 1992 and Bldg 1257
- 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fire truck display at Arnold Drive Elementary School

Oct. 8
- Fire truck and crew visit Arnold Drive Elementary School