news release

Today, the IRC Board of County Commissioners passed a Proclamation declaring the week of October 6-12 as Fire Protection Week. The campaign for this year announced by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.

Fire Chief Richard Marini addressed the Board at today’s meeting to provide statistics that emphasize the importance of having working smoke alarms in homes and how these devices save lives and property. “Three of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or with no working smoke alarms,” said Marini.

Fires move rapidly through a home. The ability to get out quickly depends on early warning from smoke alarms. Chief Marini warns that most residential fires occur at night while people are sleeping. “You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds, said Marini.

Each year, as part of Fire Prevention Week, the IRC Commissioners take the opportunity to highlight fire safety tips and urge citizens to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Every home is different so every home fire escape plan will be different,” said David Johnson, IRC Emergency Services Director. “It is important to plan specifically with those needing special assistance to wake up and get out, and make sure someone is assigned to help them,” added Johnson.

Key home fire escape planning tips:
 Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
 Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
 Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
 Have an outside meeting place, located a safe distance from your home.
 Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year, include everyone, even guests. Practice at least once during the day and once at night.

“We are aware Hurricane Season and current storm events are front and center on the minds of our residents, but we urge everyone to mindful that a fire prevention plan and a practiced plan of escape, can save lives. Fires destroy in minutes,” said Johnson.
For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit fpw.org and sparky.org.