KMC hosts National Fire Prevention and Safety Week

Every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the U.S.
KMC Fire and Emergency Services are not foreign to this statistic as they keep a total of eight stations in operation.

The KMC Fire and Emergency Services hope to reach as many KMC members as possible during the National Fire Prevention and Safety Week starting Sunday.

“We start early with fire prevention to try to reach everyone in the KMC,” said Master Sgt. Armando Avila, KMC Fire and Emergency Services assistant chief and public education.

This year’s theme, “Protect Your Family From Fire,” is being stressed with all of the activities planned in the KMC.

“Have a plan for adults and children, designate a meeting place, stress 1-1-2, don’t hide under beds or in closets, and don’t be scared of firefighters in their gear,” Avila said.

The Fire Safety House, a new addition to the fire prevention week, is a display that helps children know what to do in case of a fire.

Some features of the house include a heated door, a flame simulator, smoke, fire alarm pulling, strobe light fire alarms, stove fires, pot handle placement, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, simulated 1-1-2 dialing using a phone and talking to a live person.

“The fire safety house has a lot of features to show kids what to do in almost any fire situation,” said Felipe Vazquez, KMC Fire and Emergency Services prevention chief.

The house also features two doors and a window with an escape ladder for them to use. “We want to teach, ‘Always plan for two ways out,’” Vazquez said.

There are three days of events taking place at the KMCC Tuesday through Thursday. The fire safety house will be there, along with a fire truck display and “fire out” exercises.

Fire Station 1 South, located on the flightline, Bldg. 2303, will have an open house Oct. 15 with a tour of the station and fire trucks on display. There will be a bouncy castle for children and a demonstration from the Firefighter Combat Challenge Team.

The KMC Fire and Emergency Services will also host a combat challenge between the Firefighter Combat Challenge Team versus any team that signs up to accept their challenge.

The challenge will have various activities to include a dummy drag and a kaisersled.

For more information on signing up contact Staff Sgt. Jeremy Noah at 480-5511 or  06371-47-5511.

“Be fire safe, even at work,” Avila said. “We have fire extinguisher training for employers and employees.”

To request a training session call Fire Prevention at 480-5940 or 06371-47-5940.