JOINT BASE LANGLEY EUSTIS, Va. –
It is tradition for fire departments throughout the U.S. to engage in National Fire Prevention Week. This year’s Fire Prevention Week is scheduled for Oct. 9 through Oct. 15.
The theme for this year’s event is “Don’t Wait, Check the Date”, stressing the importance of maintaining efficient smoke detectors inside your homes. The Fort Eustis Fire and Emergency Services Flight is dedicated to educating families on fire safety, the importance of having an evacuation plan and ensuring that every bedroom has a functional smoke detector.
The National Fire Protection Association conducted research based on its National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72, which determined most smoke detector failures are attributed to removal of batteries, improper wiring, dust and insects and age old sensitivity. Due to the numerous outcomes, NFPA 72 states, “Replace all smoke alarms, including those that use ten-year batteries and hard-wired alarms when they are ten years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly when tested."
It is imperative that smoke detectors be tested regularly to help identify if operability is sufficient. Testing should be, but is not limited to, once a month or per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Statistics show that education must be provided to our nation’s communities on the importance of smoke detectors in each home.
The Ft. Eustis Fire & Emergency Services Flight has and will continue to maintain the “Door to Door Smoke Detector Campaign” for all members living in housing. This campaign begins Oct. 10 from 4p.m. to 6 p.m., and will continue throughout Fire Prevention Week until 100 percent of the on base housing community has been reached. Tenants will be educated on the following tips:
- Installation of smoke alarms and what dictates the placement of each alarm
- How and when to test smoke alarms
- When a smoke alarm sounds what to do
- When to replace batteries and detectors
The Ft. Eustis fire department will also host education activities throughout the week including:
12–14 Oct., fire extinguisher training in various locations
11–13 Oct., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. courtesy blood pressure checks at the Commissary
15 Oct., 10 a.m. 12 p.m., open house at the Main Fire Station
The Langley fire department will also host education activities throughout the week including:
8 Oct., 12 p.m. to 4p.m. fire prevention week kick-off at Hampton Carousel Park
10-14 Oct., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. open house at both fire stations
14 Oct 1300 Firefighters Readiness challenge Team competition at Main fire station
17 Oct., 10 a.m. 11:30 a.m., classical conversion (Poquoson) Home School visit
For additional information contact Ft. Eustis Fire and Emergency Services at 757-878-4281 Ext 321 or 32 or the
Langley Fire and Emergency Services at 757-764-4222