Fire department concludes Fire Prevention Week

Edwards fire department vehicles parade in front of the base commissary Oct. 11 as part of Fire Prevention Week celebration. The prevention week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Fire department concludes Fire Prevention Week

C.R Eckroth (right), fire department inspector, explains the importance of fire safety to Tech. Sgt. Trish Winters (top), 95th Air Base Wing chaplain noncommissioned officer in charge, and her son, Trevor, during a Fire Prevention Week demonstration at the Base Exchange Oct. 11. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Firefighters host Fire Prevention Week

Kurt Stranick, fire department investigator, talks to Edwards children regarding fire safety Oct. 9 as part of Fire Prevention Week. Throughout the week, firefighters, Smokey the Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog visited base school, the Child Development Center and other locations to inform Team Edwards about fire safety. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Firefighters host Fire Prevention Week

Kurt Stranick, fire department investigator, puts a platic firefighter's hat on an Edwards child during a Fire Prevention Week presentation at fire station II Oct. 9. The Fire Prevention Week kicked off Sept. 5 with a Fire Department Booster Club Annual Charity golf tournament at the Muroc Lake Golf Course here. The week concluded with a parade Oct. 11. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)

Team Edwards concludes Fire Prevention Week

Published Oct. 14, 2008
By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Edwards fire department hosted a series of educational campaigns as part of Fire Prevention Week celebration.

The prevention week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.

"Fire Prevention Week is all about safety," said Kurt Stranick, Edwards fire department inspector. "It teaches children and adults about fire safety tips. Everybody needs to be aware of fire prevention. Overall, the Fire Prevention Week celebration was outstanding. It went very well."

With the theme "Prevent Home Fires," the Fire Prevention Week kicked off Sept. 5 with the fire department Booster Club annual charity golf tournament at the Muroc Lake Golf Course here. The tournament's goal was to generate funds for the booster club as well as provide donations to the Children's Burn Foundation.

Throughout the week, Edwards firefighters, Smokey the Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog visited base schools, the Child Development Center and other locations to inform the community about fire safety. The fire department taught about 970 children during their visit to the base schools.

"Children need to know early to instill in them what to do in case of emergency," Mr. Stranick said. "They could use the knowledge and techniques they learned to ensure they are safe."

A parade through base housing and a demonstration at the Base Exchange parking lot Oct. 11 concluded Fire Prevention Week. The demonstration highlighted the fire department and emergency response vehicles, gears and equipment. A fire safety house was also on display and demonstrated what a home should be equipped with to be "fire safe."

Amanda Jungquist, base resident, said Fire Prevention Week is great for children to know what a firefighter does as well as learn about various fire safety tips.

"My son loves firefighters," Mrs. Jungquist said. "He has a lot of books, and he understands exactly what they do here. The Fire Prevention Week taught him a little bit on how firefighters do their job. It also taught him to know what he's supposed to do regarding fire safety."