Fire prevention week: Barksdale FD spreads awareness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kendall Walters
  • 2nd Civil Engineering Squadron
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen, stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, will celebrate National Fire Prevention week during the week of Oct.
3-9.

According to the National Fire Protection Association Web site, Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began Oct. 8, but continued into and did most of its damage Oct. 9, 1871.

According to popular legend, the fire broke out after a cow - belonging to Mrs. Catherine O'Leary - kicked over a lamp, setting first the barn, then the whole city on fire.

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls. According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The president of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.

This year's theme is 'Smoke detectors, a sound you can live with.'

According to the National fire protection association this year's campaign is designed to educate people about the importance of smoke alarms and encourages everyone to take the steps necessary to update and maintain their home smoke alarm protection.

"There are several benefits of fire prevention week," said Master Sgt. Steven Woodard, deputy fire chief. "First, is spreading the word about the importance of having a working smoke alarm in your home. Next, is to make sure you and your family have an escape plan to avert disaster. Lastly, it's to show everybody the fire department is here for you and the protection of your whole family here at Barksdale.

The Barksdale fire department will hold open house at station one on main base and station three on the East Side in Capehart housing from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m all week. This will consist of tours of the station and vehicles.

There will also be a parade through all housing areas, youth programs with Sparky the Fire Dog and a booth set up at the base exchange.

The Parade for main base housing will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 and East Side housing at 4 p.m. Also, the fire prevention booth will be set up at the BX along with Sparky the fire Dog and the ladder truck from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 - 8.

"This gives us the opportunity to reach out to different organizations on base and educate all ages on the dangers of fire and how to prevent them," said Sergeant Woodard. "At the end of the day I hope all attendees walk away knowing that fires are preventable but inevitable. The main thing is to be prepared."

"Fire prevention week is a fun learning environment for parents and children," said Senior Airman Jeff Minneboo, 2nd Civil Engineering squadron fire inspector. "Parents can pick up pamphlets on smoke detectors and practicing exit drills in the home, while the children enjoy the fire trucks and Sparky the Fire Dog. So come join all the firefighters for national fire prevention week and always remember to listen for the sounds that could save your life."


According to the National Fire Protection Association Web site, Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began Oct. 8, but continued into and did most of its damage Oct. 9, 1871.

According to popular legend, the fire broke out after a cow - belonging to Mrs. Catherine O'Leary - kicked over a lamp, setting first the barn, then the whole city on fire.

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls. According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The president of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.

This year's theme is 'Smoke detectors, a sound you can live with.'

According to the National fire protection association this year's campaign is designed to educate people about the importance of smoke alarms and encourages everyone to take the steps necessary to update and maintain their home smoke alarm protection.

"There are several benefits of fire prevention week," said Master Sgt. Steven Woodard, deputy fire chief. "First, is spreading the word about the importance of having a working smoke alarm in your home. Next, is to make sure you and your family have an escape plan to avert disaster. Lastly, it's to show everybody the fire department is here for you and the protection of your whole family here at Barksdale.

The Barksdale fire department will hold open house at station one on main base and station three on the East Side in Capehart housing from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m all week. This will consist of tours of the station and vehicles.

There will also be a parade through all housing areas, youth programs with Sparky the Fire Dog and a booth set up at the base exchange.

The Parade for main base housing will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 and East Side housing at 4 p.m. Also, the fire prevention booth will be set up at the BX along with Sparky the fire Dog and the ladder truck from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 - 8.

"This gives us the opportunity to reach out to different organizations on base and educate all ages on the dangers of fire and how to prevent them," said Sergeant Woodard. "At the end of the day I hope all attendees walk away knowing that fires are preventable but inevitable. The main thing is to be prepared."

"Fire prevention week is a fun learning environment for parents and children," said Senior Airman Jeff Minneboo, 2nd Civil Engineering squadron fire inspector. "Parents can pick up pamphlets on smoke detectors and practicing exit drills in the home, while the children enjoy the fire trucks and Sparky the Fire Dog. So come join all the firefighters for national fire prevention week and always remember to listen for the sounds that could save your life."