Local Departments Kick Off Fire Prevention Week Today

Starting today, Quaker Valley fire departments will join forces this week to mark National Fire Prevention week.

Wesley James, prevention coordinator, said local fire departments plan to work together from Oct. 10-15 as the Quaker Valley Fire Safety Committee  to teach children and families about fire safety.

“The volunteer fire department members will be visiting the schools next week to have fire drills and then talk to the younger students in the classrooms about fire safety,” James said.

The fire safety committee includes the , , , and departments.

Among the events planned by the fire safety committee:

• On Tuesday, firefighters will assist with a mock crash similar to drills staged by Students Against Drunk Driving. High school student Vanda Freiberger worked with police, fire and emergency medical services workers to coordinate the drunk-driving crash as part of her personal project presentation. The event begins at 1 p.m. in the lower-level parking lot at the . The public should be advised that emergency vehicles may be involved and streets may be partially closed.

• On Friday, the fire departments will tour all schools through the Quaker Valley  as well as  and  to perform fire drills and talk to students in each classroom up to fifth grade.

• On Saturday, firefighters plan to hold a Fire Safety Expo at . From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., children will have a chance to get up close with the fire trucks and tools. James said handouts will be distributed to adults and children, and there will be games as well.

Cochran Hose Fire Chief Jeff Neff said department members have worked together as a group for nearly 20 years, and fire safety lessons are important. He cited instances when kids have called the fire department and waited outside for firefighters to arrive, following the lessons they learned in school.

“It doesn’t get any better than that,” Neff said. “It works. It definitely works.”

The National Fire Protection Association says fire departments nationwide responded to 1.3 million fires in 2010, with more than 380,000 being residential fires.

Families should also talk about what each member of the household should do in case of a fire and should have an escape plan in place.