Air Station Firefighters work to prevent home fires

Photo By Cpl. Jennifer Farr | First grade students Karah Donavant, 6, and Cesar Navarro, 7, help Joseph Otterbine, a fire inspector with the Air Stations Structural Fire and Emergency Services Department, look for fire hazards during a skit performed by their first grade class Tuesday at Galer Elementary School.  

10.10.2008

Story by Cpl. Jennifer Farr 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

By Cpl. Jenn Eagelman
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Since Oct. 8, 1871 when the great Chicago fire killed more than 250 people and destroyed nearly 17,000 buildings, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored a Fire Prevention Week during the month of October to educate people about fire safety and to raise awareness about fire prevention.

During this year's Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5 - 11, Air Station Firefighters gave Laurel Bay School children a firsthand experience with this year's theme - Prevent Home Fires.

"The key to Fire Prevention Week is the children," said Joseph Otterbine, a fire inspector with the Air Station Structural Fire and Emergency Services Department. "Children are like sponges. They absorb all of this information about how important fire prevention is and what they can do to make a difference. Then they take it home to their parents and tell them 'this is what I learned today and this is what we need to do to prevent fires and this is what we need to have prepared in case there is a fire.' They are the most important tool that we have to spread the word."

The Air Station's firefighters did things a little different this year, according to Otterbine. A class of Laurel Bay first and second graders performed interactive skits for students from pre-kindergarten to second grade.

During the skits, students in the audience had to spot fire hazards in a model home static display on the stage. The actors provided clues, which helped students find things like overloaded power strips and extension cords run under carpet.

Third and fourth grade students at Bolden Elementary School had the chance to use fire extinguishers and Laurel Bay's fifth, sixth and seventh grade students had the opportunity to learn about what it takes to be a firefighter. They also had hands-on time with firefighting equipment.

Aside from firefighters visiting the three Laurel Bay Schools, they also visited the Child Development Center and are scheduled to participate in Firefest Saturday, in conjunction with local fire departments, at the Cross Creek Plaza from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

"Firefest is something that we do with the local fire departments from the area that gives the public the opportunity to learn about fire prevention," Otterbine said. "We'll have fire trucks for everyone to see. There will also be displays available and the Air Station's giant inflatable fireman will be walking around."

In the United States, eight out of 10 people killed in a fire die in one that has occurred in a home, according to the NFPA Web site. The two leading causes of home fires are cooking and heating equipment. Fires that involve smoking materials and heating equipment are the leading cause of home fire deaths.

"We've done really well this year, with no serious fires," explained Otterbine. "Everyone has been doing a very good job in preventing fires and hopefully it stays that way."

• Date Taken: 10.10.2008
• Date Posted: 10.10.2008 10:12
• Story ID: 24791