Fire Prevention Week begins Saturday

Courtesy of KMC Fire Emergency Service
Brig. Gen. Richard G. Moore, Jr., 86th Airlift Wing commander, and leadership from the 86th Civil Engineer Group and 86th Civil Engineer Squadron gather for the signing of the Kaiserslautern Military Community’s Fire Prevention Proclamation Sept. 28 at Ramstein. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Every second counts, plan two ways out!”, is to encourage people to have more than one safe exit during a fire incident. — Photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah L. Waters

The Kaiserslautern Military Com-munity Fire Emergency Services will kick off Fire Prevention Week with a parade through Ramstein Military Family Housing, Saturday at 10:15 a.m.

After the parade, the fire department will host an open house with a variety of festivities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fire Station 1, Bldg. 2303, by the Ramstein flightline tower.

“There will be free food, live fire and vehicle extrication demonstrations, fire truck displays from KMC FES and surrounding local fire departments, activities for kids, door prizes and much, much, more,” said Brent Blasco, KMC FES assistant chief fire prevention.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week runs from 8 October through 14 October.  For more than 90 years, the National Fire Protection Association sponsored this week across the nation and overseas military installations.  Every year they promote education and critical information and this year’s campaign will be “Every Second Counts, Plan 2 Ways Out!”

The KMC FES provides a good time for families to have fun and learn about fire prevention.

Blasco explained how to prepare families in case of a fire.  “It is crucial to have a plan and your family to know the plan,” said Blasco. “Ensure children know how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them. Most importantly, once outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.”

For more information on this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, contact KMC FES Fire Prevention Office at 480-5940 or visit www.firepreventionweek.org.