(Washington, DC) It’s time for Fire Prevention Week, and from October 7-13 the DC Fire and EMS Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (FFPA) to remind local residents to “Practice Your Escape Plan.”
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 percent of households have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan.
To illustrate the importance of having and practicing a fire evacuation plan, the theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is: “It’s Fire Prevention Week: Practice Your 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 Gary Palmer, Fire Marshal. “Sometimes there are only seconds to escape, but there’s no question that having a plan in placed that has been practiced saves precious time and makes survival more likely. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will prompt folks in our community to plan and practice their escape.”
Schedule of Events:
Tuesday, October 9
Fire Prevention Week Kick-Off Event
Location: George Washington University’s University Yard (H Street, between 20th and 21st Streets, N.W.)
Time: 11 am – 12am
Reading of the Mayoral Proclamation, announcement of partnerships and teaming efforts to encourage fire safety on campuses in the District of Columbia.
GW Safety Expo
Location: George Washington University’s University Yard
Time: 12 pm – 3 pm
FEMS will conduct fire extinguisher training and campus safety education to students and visitors from the surrounding community. Participating agencies include MPD, Red Cross, HSEMA, etc.
Thursday, October 11
Senior Expo
Location: Kennedy Senior Wellness Center
324 Kennedy Street, NW
Time: 10:30 am – 2 pm
FEMS staff will talk to seniors about smoke alarms and practicing their escape planning, etc.
Saturday, October 13
Youth Safety Day
Location: Paul Public Charter School, 5800 8th Street, NW.
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Community outreach event designed to educate young people, their families and the surrounding community in ways to evacuate safely from their homes. This school contains a large Hispanic population and we are pleased to reach these citizens. The Fire Safe House will be present at this event.
Sunday, October 14
Open House
Location: All FEMS Firehouses
Time: 11 am – 3 pm
Firefighters will be on hand to distribute fire safety materials and speak to visitors about the importance of practicing and planning evacuation drills, the importance of smoke alarms and other home fire safety tips