Team Tyndall hosts Fire Prevention Week

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bailee Darbasie | Airmen assigned to the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services unload boxes Oct. 1, 2019 in their facility on base. The 325th CES is preparing for Fire Prevention Week where they’ll educate Airmen on smoke alarm testing, escape planning, exit drills, emergency reporting and safe cooking practices. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bailee A. Darbasie)  

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, UNITED STATES

10.03.2019

Story by Airman 1st Class Bailee Darbasie 

325th Fighter Wing

Tyndall Air Force Base will host a Fire Prevention Week (FPW) event for base personnel and their families Oct. 8-11.

FPW is a national observance which works to raise public awareness of fire and home safety.

“Our goal is to teach everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe,” said Michael Newbury, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron fire prevention specialist.

Tyndall Fire Emergency Services will partner with the National Fire Prevention Association to highlight and educate personnel on this year’s FPW campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape.”

“We’ll be hosting a series of activities throughout the week,” said Newbury. “Some of the topics will be smoke alarm testing, escape planning, exit drills, emergency reporting and safe cooking practices.”

Through these activities, the Fire Emergency Services members hope to educate the base on their unit’s mission and proper home safety techniques.

One of the main practices they are trying to instill is the use of smoke alarms.

“Smoke alarms save lives,” said Newbury. “Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms.”

Having working smoke alarms throughout the home cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half, said Newbury. Since smoke spreads fast, having an alarm can give fire victims the few extra minutes they need to escape.

However, Newbury warns that smoke alarms aren’t the only way to help protect one’s home and family.

Unblocking exits is an extremely important preventative measure. Items that block doors and windows could keep someone from escaping in the event of a home fire.

“In a typical home fire, there’s only one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the alarm sounds,” said Newbury. “Having a clear exit path can mean life or death.”

Clearing exit paths can also improve escape planning.

“Planning and practicing a home escape plan is one of the most important things a person can do to prepare themselves,” said Newbury.

Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services urge personnel to bring everyone in their household together to create and run through an escape plan at least twice per year.

“Walk through your home and inspect all possible exit routes,” advised Newbury. “Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of their home and mark two ways out of each room, including both windows and doors.”

Newbury continued, the best way for Tyndall personnel to protect themselves and their families is to stay educated and be prepared.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week or fire and home safety, please contact Tyndall Fire Emergency Services at [phone].

• Date Taken: 10.03.2019
• Date Posted: 10.03.2019 11:25
• Story ID: 345773
• Location: TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US