Prevention Week event offers up Family fun, education

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Fire Prevention Week kicked off with the annual Community

Awareness Day festivities at the Directorate of Emergency Services building Oct. 8.

The annual event highlights fire prevention activities and recognizes other October observances

such as the Red Ribbon Drug-free Campaign; National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; and Crime Prevention Month.

The birthday of McGruff the Crime-fighting Dog also was celebrated with a cake cutting featuring McGruff and Sparky the Fire Dog.

Games, activities and displays were presented by the Aberdeen and Edgewood youth and child development centers; Child, Youth and School Services' Hired! Program; Morale, Welfare and Recreation; Skies Unlimited; the Army Substance Abuse Program and APG Community Policing. Emergency medical responders demonstrated the latest in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and other life-saving measures and equipment and the Aberdeen Test Center displayed two tanks.

Children, youth and adults enjoyed the Firefighter Combat Challenge obstacle course, a climbing wall and giant slide, fire apparatus, equipment displays, live vehicle extrication and kitchen fire demonstrations.

"It's our first time here and he's liking it so far because he's getting all the goodies," said CERDEC employee Thomas D'Silva as his son, Jason, 4, received a free popcorn cone.

Joshua Bulavko, 11, son of JAG court reporter Leo Bulavko, said he comes out every year.

"I like the tanks the most," he said. Carol McClelland of the 20th Support Command (CBRNE) said she and her children Enzo, 7 and Indy, 9, were impressed with the emergency medical display. "I saw the email announcement and decided to come out," she said. "I'm glad we did because they're having a ball.

Assistant Chief Don Collier and Fire Inspector Chris Starling explained what was happening to the audience as firefighters demonstrated vehicle extrication procedures, and extinguished airfield and kitchen fires. The theme for the 2011 Fire Prevention Week was "It's Fire Prevention Week! Protect Your Family From Fire," Starling said.

"Our thanks go out to all the Families who support Community Awareness Day and the APG organizations, our firefighters, medical responders and police officers that made this year's event a success."