Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 4 through Oct. 10. The National Fire Prevention Association has observed Fire Prevention Week since 1922. This yearís FPW theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm!”In support of Fire Prevention Week and fire safety all year long, the Falcon Fire Protection District encourages everyone to install, test and maintain smoke alarms in their homes. These simple tasks save lives. According to NFPA, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.Five easy steps to stay fire safe:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of a home.
- Test smoke alarms every month simply by pressing the ìtestî button.
- Install fresh batteries at least once every year.
- Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years.
- When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
For more information about smoke alarm installation and maintenance, including safety tip sheets in English and Spanish, check out the NFPA Smoke Alarm Central website: http://nfpa.org/smokealarmsResidents who have questions or concerns about smoke alarms can call FFPD at 719-495-4050. Please note this is an administrative number only; call 911 for emergencies.
Fallen firefightersIn spite of improvements in equipment, firefighting tactics and firefighter fitness, about 100 firefighters die in the line of duty every year in the U.S., according to the U.S. Fire Administration. In the tradition of the fire service, no firefighter is forgotten. Every September and October, firefighters across the country, including Falcon firefighters, honor their brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Denver Stair ClimbStair climb events are held nationwide to honor the firefighters who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Manitou Incline and Red Rocks Amphitheater are popular venues, but the Denver Stair Climb (http://denverstairclimb.com/) at the Century Link building in downtown Denver is different. The number of participants is capped at 343, the same as the number of firefighters lost in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. Following a moment of silence, firefighters in full gear, each carrying the name and photo of one of the New York City firefighters†killed on 9/11, climb 55 flights of stairs twice to simulate the fateful climb FDNY firefighters made at the 110-story Twin Towers.Six Falcon firefighters participated in this yearís Denver Stair Climb Sept. 11. It was the first time Falcon firefighters Daniel Miller and Zach Tassia participated in the grueling climb. Miller described the experience as ìhumbling.î ìIt was a good experience to be a part of, even though I wasnít a firefighter on 9/11,î he said. ìIt was an honor to carry the photo of a firefighter who died that day.îìIt meant the world to me,î Tassia said. ìI felt a lot of great honor being there, remembering the firefighters who fell that day and honoring those who sacrificed so much.îMiller said the day became even more meaningful when he connected with the family of the fallen firefighter whose name and photo he carried via a website set up for the event.
IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter MemorialFalcon firefighters were among more than 6,000 attendees who gathered at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs this year to honor fallen members of the International Association of Fire Fighters. An IAFF press release stated the newly expanded and reconstructed memorial now includes the names of 7,352 IAFF members who have died in service to their communities since 1918.
Bells Across America for Fallen FirefightersHistorically, fire departments sounded a series of bells when a firefighter died in the line of duty to alert all members that a comrade had made the ultimate sacrifice. This time-honored tradition continues today during the funerals or memorial services for firefighters.The National Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, is dedicated to the memory of all career and volunteer firefighters who have died in the line of duty. As part of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (http://firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/) held Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 in Emmitsburg, bells will sound nationwide to honor fallen firefighters. Falcon Fire Department chaplains Mike Collins and Dick Glasgow will represent the department at a local Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters event to be held Oct. 3 at Saint Dominicís Catholic Church in Security, Colorado.
