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Dear Citizens of Carthage and the Carthage Fire District,
Today’s home fires burn faster than ever. In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing how to use that time wisely takes planning and practice.
Carthage Fire Department is promoting this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” which works to educate the public about basic but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire. Fire Prevention Week this year is October 7th through 13th.
NFPA statistics show that the number of U.S. home fires has been steadily declining over the past few decades. However, the death rate per 1000 home fires that are reported to fire departments was 10 percent higher in 2016 than in 1980.
These numbers show that while we’ve made significant progress in teaching people how to prevent fires from happening, there’s still much more work to do in terms of educating the public about how to protect themselves in the event of one. This is particularly critical given the increased speed at which today’s home fires grow and spread.
It is also noted that although people feel safest in their home, it is also the place people are at greatest risk to fire, with four out of five U.S. fire deaths occurring at home. That over-confidence contributes to a complacency toward home escape planning and practice.
Those of us in the fire service know that people often make choices in fire situations that jeopardize their safety or even cost them their lives. We need to do a better job of teaching people about the potentially life-saving difference escape planning and practice can make and motivating them to action
This year’s “Look. Listen. Learn.” campaign highlights three steps people can take to help quickly and safely escape a fire:
• Look for places fire could start.
• Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm.
• Learn 2 ways out of every room.
While Carthage Fire Department is focusing on home fires, these fire safety messages apply to virtually anywhere.Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go. No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.
On Saturday October 13th, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm we will host our annual Safety Fair. This is our event to recognize Fire Prevention Week. It is also our way of celebrating the upcoming Maple Leaf Festival. We invite everyone to come to the Fire Station at 401 W. Chestnut St. and enjoy some time checking out equipment and exhibits. As always there will be several area Departments here and it is always a good time for the kids.
In closing I would like to thank the community for all the support given to the Carthage Fire Department. Without your backing we would never be able to provide the quality service we believe you deserve. Carthage Fire Department considers it an honor to serve this community.
Sincerely,
Carthage Fire Chief,
Roger Williams
