Last year, Fire Prevention Week (FPW) occurred October 7-13 and the theme was "It's Fire Prevention Week: Practice Your Escape Plan". We were promoting this safety campaign by visiting every elementary classroom in the Kelso School District October 1-5 to promote our FPW activities. On Sunday, October 7, we hosted our 7th Annual Memorial Procession parade. The rest of the week, we offered scheduled fire station tours for pre-school and elementary aged children. Then we ended the week with our FPW open house on Saturday, October 13 (see flyer) from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Our goal was to get the word out to local families about the importance of preparing, planning and practicing your family's escape plan. Only 23% of Americans have devised and practiced and escape plan from their home in the event of a fire and they have less than 6 minutes to get out safely. Other safety topics we focused on included: EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home); Know 2 Ways Out of Every Room; Kitchen Safety; Smoke Alarm Placement & Maintenance; Stop, Drop & Roll; Get Out & Stay Out; Heating Safety; and other General Fire Safety information.

During our FPW Open House on Saturday, October 13, we offered some exciting, interactive activities for families to enjoy. The activities included: FREE Hot Dogs served fresh off our antique "Fire Engine Grille"; Appearances from Smokey Bear; Junior Firefighter Nozzle Practice (where kids get to spray the fire hose and knock down cones); Magic Shows every hour; Button Making Booth; Arts & Crafts Section, including a coloring contest; Interactive, Hands-On Hazard House; and much more! Children also had the opportunity to enter our drawing to win some awesome prizes. We had a drawing every hour on the hour and a grand prize drawing at the end of our event. Mark your calendars now and plan on attending 2008's family-oriented event and visit with our Chief, Firefighters, EMT's and Paramedics while you're here! Our 2008 Fire Prevention Week events and activities will be from October 5 to 11. More specific information and details will be posted around June or July 2008.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. 2007 was the 86th year that fire departments observed FPW, making it one of the longest running public health and safety observances on record. There is growing proof that fire prevention campaigns save lives. We are dedicated to protecting our community; giving people the tools they need in order to protect their homes and families while being safe. We hope our efforts during FPW assist us in teaching people the importance of fire safety before they have to suffer a damaging loss.