Liberty Fire Prevention Week 2021

Photo By Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | A small child points at the fire engines on display behind Fire Station One at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Oct. 9, 2021. The 48th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services hosted Fire Prevention Week 2021 to educate Airmen and their families on the importance of readiness and fire safety in the home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gaspar Cortez)  

BRANDON, SFK, UNITED KINGDOM

10.09.2021

Story by Senior Airman Gaspar Cortez 

48th Fighter Wing

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – Across the United States, fire departments respond to a fire every 24 seconds. Nearly half of those fires happen in the home and are caused by cooking.

Here at the Liberty Wing, the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services hosted Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 3-9, 2021 to teach the on-base community about fire safety within the home.

The week’s events kicked off with a parade through Liberty Village, attracting the attention of many of the neighborhood’s children and parents. Sparky the fire dog interacted with the children while personnel from the Fire Department passed out bags with treats and information about fire safety for the kids.

Fire safety and prevention is key readiness training whether it’s in the office, on the flight line, or in the privacy of the home.

“The biggest thing is that parents talk with their kids about fire safety in their homes,” said Mark E. Belton, 48th CES assistant chief of fire prevention. “Their kids should know how to make phone calls and who to contact. Do they know where to go as far as an escape plan or what the firefighters look like so they are not afraid of the fire fighters when they arrive in their personal protective equipment?”

Throughout the week, the Fire Department set up a fire truck as a static displays along with Sparky to meet and greet children at Lakenheath Elementary, both Child Development Centers on Lakenheath, the Library and a few appearances at the Base Exchange.

Airmen and personnel from the Fire Department train daily to keep both physically and mentally ready to respond to an emergency at a moment’s notice. Just as the Fire Department trains, parents should teach and practice with their kids fire prevention basics in the home at least monthly.

”It really is important to practice fire safety in the home with our children not just to keep them safe,” said Kathryn McGuffin, parent and attendee at the parade. ”But also should any emergency situation present itself, they will know how to respond quickly and rationally without panicking.”

Fire Prevention Week wrapped up on Saturday, Oct. 9, during an open house at the Fire Station with an auto extrication demonstration along with several displays for the community to see and learn about.

Since 1922, FPW has been observed during the week around Oct. 9 to commemorate the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Each year, Lakenheath firefighters take this opportunity to teach people about the importance of fire safety and being ready with a plan in the event of an emergency.

This type of readiness, whether at work or in the home, benefits the family, the community, but most of all, benefits the individual who is prepared to take on any situation in the event of a fire.

• Date Taken: 10.09.2021
• Date Posted: 10.14.2021 06:33
• Story ID: 407202
• Location: BRANDON, SFK, GB