JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 316th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department is answering the nation's call for fire safety. This year's annual fire prevention theme is "Stay Fire Smart Don't Get Burned," and many activities are scheduled across the base to educate in more ways than one.
Andrews Fire Emergency Services flight is kicking off this important educational week with a parade through base housing starting Saturday at noon. The termination point will be at the Andrews Base Exchange where numerous activities and displays are scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m.
Fire Prevention Week features fun-filled educational activities and events for all ages.
"We encourage families to come out to challenge their knowledge and skills at these unique events," said Christopher Parks, 316 CES assistant chief of fire prevention. The Andrews Fire Department will also be going through base housing from Monday through Wednesday from 5 to 7 pm. to pass out pamphlets to families to give them some extremely useful information.
"People should use this time to help educate their families on preventing fires in all aspects of life," said Staff Sgt. Julian Agee, 316 CES firefighter. "Roughly 3,000 people die as a result of home fires and burns, and more than 200,000 are seen in the nation's emergency rooms for burn injuries. Also thermal burns outnumber scalds nearly two-to-one, but for children ages 5 and under, scalds outnumber burns roughly two-to-one."
The fire department has "upped their game" and have scheduled numerous exciting events including an auto extrication exercise, which is scheduled at the BX Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 1 p.m. "We have spiced things up a bit to keep families involved and interested in this event" said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Mohr, 316 CES fire chief. "The Fire Emergency Services flight has even recently purchased a big fire truck bouncy castle for kids."
Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. President Calvin Coolidge is the first person to proclaim the first National Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 4 to Oct. 10, 1925. He noted that in the year of 1870, around 15,000 lives were lost to fire in the United States alone. He called the loss "startling." President Coolidge made a proclamation which 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." This was the beginning of a 138- year tradition to the date.
Fire Prevention Week saves lives with education. Fire education prevents fires because most fires are preventable.