Moody to celebrate Fire Prevention Week

  • Published
  • By Airman Dillian M. Bamman
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The 23d Civil Engineer Squadron is scheduled to host various fire prevention activities during National Fire Prevention Week here Oct. 6 to 12.

Fire Prevention Week has been a U.S. tradition since 1922 in memory of the Great Chicago Fire of Oct. 8, 1871, which resulted in the deaths of more than 250 people.

"The best way to prevent fires is having general awareness around you," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Burns, 23d CES fire inspector. "The little things like leaving the stove unattended can lead to a serious fire.

"Fire prevention is the cheapest way to fight fires," he added. "Fire trucks and hoses are expensive, but coloring books and pamphlets aren't. We can teach the kids about fire safety at the school, so they'll go home and nag their parents to check the fire alarms, which gets the message out to the adults."

Fire alarms are a major concern, according to Eric W. Mortensen, 23d CES assistant chief of fire prevention.

"Thousands of people have been killed due to not having a working fire alarm, so make sure to check your fire alarms twice a year," said Mortensen. "The biggest thing about fire prevention is having awareness in the home."

Although firefighters focus on education during Fire Prevention Week, it is something they work on year round.

"Throughout the year, we like to work with the Child Development Center with the help from Sparky the Fire Dog," said Burns. "The kids enjoy spending time with Sparky, and you can expect to see Sparky during Fire Prevention Week."

The children may have Sparky for Fire Prevention Week, but the adults have the Commander's Combat Challenge to look forward to watching.

Burns encourages Moody and the community to come out to the Commander's Combat Challenge scheduled for Oct. 11.

During the challenge, commanders and chief master sergeants will compete in a six-station competition: a ladder raise, a fire hose pull, a fire hose carry, a power tool carry, a rescue dummy carry and a fire hose accuracy test.

In addition to the challenge, the 23d CES firefighters bring awareness to the community through local fire departments.

"We also work to provide a service to the community with Valdosta's Fire Department to give the citizens info and knowledge about fire prevention," said Burns. "We also host classes to learn more about fire prevention and safety, which include the food service safety class and the fire prevention class," he added.

Fire Prevention Week strives to raise awareness to Moody and the United States as a lasting effort to prevent fire-related deaths and injuries.

"Thanks to Fire Prevention Week and what the fire department does here for the community, Moody doesn't have a huge problem with fire," said Burns. "I think it is the proper education and self assurance of our service members and their families that exemplify how far we've come to prevent these kinds of situations."