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NEWS | Sept. 27, 2007

Fire Prevention Week: Know your escape plan

By Pacifica Chehy staff writer

Andrews Air Force Base is preparing for National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7-13. This year's theme is "Practice Your Escape Plan" and many activities are scheduled across the base. 

Andrews' Fire Prevention festivities begins Tuesday, with Sparky the Fire Dog visiting the 316th Wing where Col. Paul Ackerley, 316th Wing commander, will sign the 2007 Fire Prevention Proclamation. The Fire Prevention Flight will officially kick-off the week with a parade through base housing areas Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. Firefighters will be in the base housing areas distributing fire safety pamphlets all week. 

The Andrews community is invited to visit the new fire and smoke house trailer at the Main Exchange from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 10 and 11. 

"We encourage parents to bring their children out to see the trailer, which looks like a house inside," said Christopher Parks, assistant chief for Fire Prevention. "We have different activities planned that children can participate in. The trailer is like a house - it has a working stove, there's a simulated bedroom fire exercise, the smoke detectors will go off, and the participants get to see what a smoke-filled room looks like. The kids will learn how to stop, drop and roll. Plus, we'll be there to answer any questions the base populace may have for us regarding fire prevention." 

Mr. Parks said that Fire Prevention Week is important to the Andrews community because most fires are preventable. "I've been here since 2002 and I'd say the most common causes of fires on base are candles or open flames; especially when younger kids have candles and lighters within their reach," said Mr. Parks. 

He believes this year's National Fire Prevention theme "Practice Your Escape Plan" is especially appropriate and one in which every Team Andrews household can participate. You can help firefighters by making an escape plan which includes a meeting place - like at the tree across the street or a neighbor's house," said Mr. Parks. "When the fire truck pulls up to your house in the case of a fire, you need to be able to say that all people are accounted for. If you can't account for all the people in your house, the fire department will have to go in and rescue people, while simultaneously fighting the fire. But, when you have a plan and can verify that everyone is out safely, they can fight the fire differently and aggressively attack and extinguish the fire." 

Mr. Parks said time is of the essence when fighting a fire. 

"Once a fire starts, for every two minutes that a fire has fuel, oxygen and heat, the fire can double in size," said Mr. Parks. 

That is why it is critical that every homeowner has an escape plan. 

The activities during Fire Prevention Week are designed to teach participants not only how to prevent fires, but what to do should a fire break out. Other Fire Prevention Week activities include base-wide fire drills fire extinguisher training, and a firefighter combat challenge Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Home Traditions parking lot. The firefighter combat challenge allows participants the opportunity to see what firefighters do on a daily basis. Contestants do not need experience to take part in the event and can contact Fire Prevention Services to participate. Sparky the Fire Dog will visit the Main Exchange, Commissary, Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Child Development Centers and various base facilities. 

The Fire Prevention Flight provides live fire extinguisher training at 10 a.m. on Wednesday twice a month throughout the year at 3812 Michigan Ave., located on the east side of the base. Walk-ins are accepted. For more information, contact Fire Prevention Services at 301-981-6977.