PORT ANGELES — Fire districts across Clallam and Jefferson counties are gearing up to celebrate national fire prevention week, which runs through Friday.
The theme this year, set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is “smoke alarms: make them work for you.”
According to the NFPA, about three out of every five home fire deaths happen in homes that have missing or non-functioning smoke alarms. Having working smoke alarms reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by about 54 percent, the organization said.
The goal of the theme, according to a press release from Clallam County Fire District 2 (CCFD2), is to educate people on the risk of home fires and how smoke alarms can help to minimize that risk.
Fire districts are approaching that education component in their own way.
Clallam County
CCFD2 is informing people regarding key smoke alarm facts, including the need to have one installed in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on each level of a home.
Additionally, people need to make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, according to the press release. The alarms should be tested at least once a month and should be replaced when they break or every 10 years.
For more information about smoke alarms, call CCFD2 at 360-457-2550.
Clallam County Fire District 3 (CCFD3) will be engaged in fire prevention activities throughout the month, battalion chief Chris Turner said.
On Thursday, CCFD3 provided fire extinguisher training for 75 public utility district (PUD) employees; they will provide more training on Tuesday.
On Saturday, they hosted a public safety fair that featured local professionals, a helicopter and more.
“It’s a full day of fire and EMS [emergency medical service] safety,” Turner said.
They also plan on visiting local preschools and elementary schools throughout the month and hope to give some preschool students a ride in the district’s antique fire engine.
Throughout the appearances, Turner said they will touch on the year’s theme of smoke alarms.
“Fire prevention week is kind of a whole month affair, and we’re trying to be as busy in that as we can,” Turner said.
Clallam County Fire District 1 (CCFD1) has no plans for fire prevention week; the Port Angeles Fire Department celebrates fire prevention week in May due to timing.
Peninsula Daily News was unable to reach Clallam County Fire Districts 4, 5 and 6 regarding potential fire prevention week activities.
Jefferson County
East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) is supporting the NFPA messaging by promoting smoke alarms through social media, according to community risk manager Robert Wittenberg.
Additionally, staff will be at the Fire and Rescue Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday in Port Townsend, promoting their smoke alarm installation program.
This program, which is run in partnership with the American Red Cross, allows EJFR to provide and install smoke alarms at no cost to homeowners on a first-come, first-served basis.
As of last week, Wittenberg said EJFR had installed 93 smoke alarms this year.
EJFR also is available to help people change batteries, test the alarms or provide information on placement of the alarms, Wittenberg said.
Quilcene Fire Rescue chief Tim McKern said they will provide educational programs to local schools during prevention week, specifically for grades one through three.
“We definitely will be in the schools during that particular week,” McKern said.
They also will participate in the Fire and Rescue Festival on Friday.
Discovery Bay Fire Rescue will not be participating in fire prevention week.
The Peninsula Daily News was unable to reach the Brinnon Fire Department regarding potential activities.
________
Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
