[Press Release] : Fire Prevention Week 2007

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Battalion Chief Steven Sapp, 573-499-7035 - Duty PIO Pager

Fire Prevention Week 2007 

The Columbia Fire Department Reminds Residents to: 
“Practice Your Escape Plan” 

COLUMBIA, MO (September 28, 2007) - It's time for Fire Prevention Week,
and from October 7-13 The Columbia Fire Department is joining forces
with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind
local residents to 'Practice Your Escape Plan.' During this year's fire
safety campaign, firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the
word about the dangers of home fires and teaching local residents how to
plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs. 

According to the latest NFPA research, 3,030 people died in 2005 in
home fires - that’s roughly eight people every day. Being alerted to a
fire and knowing what to do to escape from one are extremely important,
yet only 23% of households have planned and practiced a home fire escape
plan. 

In 2006 the Columbia Fire Department responded to 424 fires which
resulted in injuries to 9 civilians and 2 fire fighters. Fortunately no
fire deaths were reported in 2006. Total loss from fires in 2006 was
$4,388,232.00 which was the second highest fire dollar loss in 10 years.


"Many times when we speak to residents who have experienced a fire in
their home, they recall becoming confused and disoriented by the
conditions and severity of the situation - but they realized they needed
to get out fast,” said Battalion Chief Steven Sapp. "Sometimes there
are only seconds to escape, but there’s no question that having a plan
in place that has been practiced saves precious time and makes survival
more likely. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will prompt folks in our
community to plan and practice their escape.” 

The Columbia Fire Department will again partner with Theater Reaching
Young People and Schools (TRYPS) to produce a 15 minute educational skit
for Columbia schools aimed at grades K-5. TRYPS actors and fire fighters
will visit as many schools as possible during fire prevention week and
encourage parents to ask their children what they have learned about
fire safety. 

Additional information can be found on the City of Columbia website at
www.GoColumbiaMo.com or by visiting www.FirePreventionWeek.com.

Are you prepared for a fire? Although it’s difficult to prepare for
the unexpected, reviewing the information below and taking action based
on it to plan for a fire is strongly recommended… and don’t forget to
practice your escape plan during Fire Prevention Week! 

Install and maintain smoke alarms on every level; and inside and
outside of each sleeping area. 

Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room
and a family meeting place outside. 

Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If
everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly. 

Practice using the plan, at least twice a year. 

Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not awaken to
the sound of a smoke alarm; they may need help waking up. 

If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to your closest exit, and if you run into
smoke, turn and use another way out. If you must exit through smoke, get
low and go under the smoke to your exit. Don’t take time to pick up
belongings; just get out and help others get out. Move fast but stay
calm.

Consider the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in your
home.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across
the country. For 85 years fire departments have observed Fire Prevention
Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance
on record. 

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