Fort Rucker Fire Prevention Week 'successful'

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Fire prevention officials offered many tips on how to protect homes and Families from potential danger during Fire Prevention Week through Oct. 9.

Members of the Fort Rucker Fire Prevention office and military and civilian fire departments promoted fire safety at various venues including the post exchange, primary and elementary schools and the Child Development Center.

"We had a lot of good interaction from the children at the schools," said Sgt. Ronald Brown, Fire Prevention inspector. "They absorbed a lot of good information and got to have some fun, too. It was a successful week."

Fire prevention personnel handed out pamphlets, fire hats, coloring books and several other items to children in an effort to educate them about the importance of fire safety.

"We gave them a chance to see what kind of equipment we use on a daily basis and, of course, they loved seeing the trucks," Brown said.

The theme for this year's Fire Prevention Week was "Smoke alarms! A sound you can live with."

Brown said most children knew what smoke alarms were, but some seem complacent about the alarm when it sounded.

"Sometimes children don't think of the smoke alarm as being an indicator of danger in the home," Brown said. "It's very important that they be taught how to respond to alarms, wherever they are."

Capt. Tim Flowers, Civilian Firefighters Station 1 captain, said the emphasis on smoke alarms was a key element in the week's activities. He added that having a plan of action during a fire emergency was also a major point firefighters stressed to children and parents.

"It's important to know what to do and when to do it," he said. "We tell parents, children and teachers to make a plan and practice it as much as possible. Everyone in a household should know how to get out of a house if there's a fire and there should always be a meeting place for everyone that's away from the house. We also tell them, children especially, not to go back into a house once they've gotten out. They might want to go back for a toy or a pet or even their parents, but it's very important they know to stay out of a burning house once they've made it outside."

Children and parents also had several opportunities during the week to pick up information packets at the PX and meet with fire safety icons like Sparky the Fire Dog and Smokey the Bear.

"Having the display at the PX was a huge help in getting to more people," Brown said. "There were a lot of parents who home-school their children that picked up information from us there. It was a great way to share information with them and help them prepare for emergencies."