JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The Joint Base San Antonio Fire and Emergency Services is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 100 years — to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”
JBSA F&ES has been hosting a series of events in support of this year’s FPW campaign at all three operating locations, including appearances throughout the week by “Sparky the Fire Dog” at all child development centers, youth centers, post and base exchanges, libraries, commissaries, and all installation elementary schools.
The next open house takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 19 at Fire Station No. 5 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, located at 3935 Winans Road, building 1704. There will be fire extinguisher training, a vehicle extrication demonstration, fire truck displays and the Sparky House. Enjoy a hot dog with Sparky as well!
The campaign works to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half, at 54 percent.
Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
“Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in a home fire, but they need to be working in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps better educate the public about simple but critical steps they can take to make sure their homes have smoke alarms in all the needed locations and that they’re working properly.”
The Joint Base San Antonio Fire and Emergency Services encourages all residents to actively support the 2024 FPW theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”
“Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, giving people the time to get out safely,” said JBSA Fire Chief Michael A. Guzman. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is a great way to remind everyone about these messages and to act on them.”
Joint Base San Antonio Fire and Emergency Services offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
- Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
To find out more about FPW programs and activities at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland, and JBSA-Randolph, contact JBSA Fire and Emergency Services at their respective locations for JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 210-221-2772, at JBSA-Lackland at 210-671-2046, and at JBSA-Randolph at 210-652-6915.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and smoke alarms, visit https://www.nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week.