Activities highlight Fire Prevention Week 2016 at Edwards AFB

  • Published
  • By Timothy Johnson
  • Edwards Fire Prevention Office, assistant chief
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Team Edwards will observe Fire Prevention Week 2016 Oct. 9-15 with the theme “Don’t Wait – Check the Date.” The emphasis is on replacing batteries yearly in all smoke alarms and replacing the alarms themselves every 10 years.

 

During Fire Prevention Week the Edwards AFB Fire Department will be providing educational material and information on the leading causes of home fires, information about protecting home and family with life-saving technologies and the importance of home escape planning.

 

Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. On the 40th anniversary of that fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America sponsored the first National Fire Prevention Day, observing the anniversary to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention.

 

When President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4-10, 1925, he noted in the previous year some 15,000 lives were lost to fire in the United States. Calling the loss startling, Coolidge's proclamation stated, "This waste results from the conditions which justify a sense of shame and horror; for the greater part of it could and ought to be prevented...It is highly desirable that every effort be made to reform the conditions which have made possible so vast a destruction of the national wealth”.

 

The Edwards Fire Dept. will hold the following events throughout the week:

 

  • Oct. 11, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. – Branch Elementary School Visit with Fire Safety Trailer, Sparky the Fire Dog and goodies.
  • Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Open House at Fire Station 2 in the housing area and at Fire Station 4 at Air Force Research Laboratory.
  • Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fire Safety Display with Sparky at the Exchange.
  • Oct. 14, 8-10 a.m.  Poster Contest Awards Presentation at Schools.
  • Oct. 14 10 a.m.-noon – Edwards Fire Dept. and Sparky visit the Child Development Center/Family Daycare.

For those how have questions or seek additional information, please contact the Edwards Fire Prevention Office at 277-3124.