WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The Whiteman Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services team will partner with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)—the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years—to promote this year’s campaign from October 6-12, 2019. This year’s campaign “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” aims to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
NFPA statistics show that in 2017 U.S. fire departments responded to 357 thousand home structure fires. These fires caused 2,630 deaths and 10,600 injuries. On average, seven people died in a fire in a home per day from 2012 to 2016.
“These numbers show that home fires continue to pose a significant threat to safety,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out.
While NFPA and the Whiteman AFB Fire and Emergency Services are focusing on home fires, these messages apply to virtually any location.
“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Tim Robinson, Whiteman AFB deputy fire chief. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”
The Whiteman AFB Fire and Emergency Services is scheduled to host a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign. To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities on Whiteman AFB, please contact the Whiteman AFB Fire and Emergency Services at 687-6080 or 687-6083. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.fpw.org.