Fire Prevention Week runs from October 6th to 12th.
The theme this year is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”
Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey says home escape plans are a big part of being fire safe.
“We do our utmost to prevent fires from happening, but in the incidents where a fire accidentally starts, we want people to be able to get out of the home safely. We know we practice them in school on a regular basis and a lot of employers in the workplace have fire plans in place, but what do we do in our homes? So that at 3 in the morning when the alarm starts to sound and we’re quite groggy and tired, are we going to know how to get out safely?”
The first step in having a home escape plan is to draw a floor plan and plan two ways out of every room whether it’s out a door or window. There is equipment available for second-floor windows. The second step is to make sure all smoke alarms are working. Finally, do a dry run by sounding the fire alarm and getting out. Abrey adds that they encourage adults to try a drill at night to see if the kids will recognize the sound and get out.
Abrey says members of the fire department will be out in the community.
“Even though Fire Prevention Week doesn’t start until Sunday, October 6th, we have partnered with the Dauphin Kings again this year, and on Friday, October 4th, we’re going to be doing our own kick-off to Fire Prevention Week here in Dauphin. The Dauphin Kings are hosting the Portage Terriers that night but you’ll see firetrucks on both the north and south side of the building where people can come take tours of the trucks prior to the game starting. The first 100 kids that come into the game will receive a free prize package and there’ll be handouts for the adults as well.”
Also at the game, there’ll be a fire extinguisher simulator, using a laser fire extinguisher on a digital fire. Sparky will also be in attendance.
Throughout the week the fire department will be doing some more activities in the community. They have plans for Monday and Tuesday but are keeping them under tabs for now. Then on Wednesday evening, the fire department has partnered with the Dauphin Public Library. There’ll be another opportunity for a tour of a fire truck. In the library starting at 7, firefighters will be showing off equipment and reading to kids. There’ll be some prize giveaways for kids and raffles for adults. Finally, on Thursday there will be an open house at the fire hall where the public can get a tour of the fire station and see more equipment.
