JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
Keeping everyone aware of how to survive a fire is the aim of Joint Base San Antonio Fire Emergency Services during Fire Prevention Week Oct. 6-12.
The primary event will be an open house Oct. 12 at the JBSA-Randolph Fire Station, building 700 from 9 a.m. to noon. Activities will include fire safety demonstrations, vehicle and equipment displays, face painting and a bounce castle. Firefighters will be available to answer questions about their vehicles and equipment.
“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Mark R. Ledford, JBSA Fire Chief. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”
National Fire Protection Association statistics show that in 2017, U.S. fire departments responded to 357,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,630 fire deaths and 10,600 fire injuries. On average, seven people died in a home fire per day from 2012 to 2016.
“Families should develop a fire escape plan for their homes, which should include at least two escape routes,” said Darrin Tannert, JBSA Lead Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention. “Crawl and stay low if they encounter smoke while trying to escape. After getting out of the house, make sure all family members are accounted for and call 911.”
Brig. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander, proclaimed Oct. 6-12 as Fire Prevention Week throughout JBSA.
Learn more about Fire Prevention Week activities by calling 210 221-3465 for JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, 210-671-2921 atJBSA-Lackland, and for JBSA-Randolph, call 210-652-6915.