HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE -- Annual Fire Prevention Week, held by the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, kicked off Oct. 10, 2017 on Holloman Air Force Base, with the theme of “Every Second Counts, Plan Two Ways Out.”
Fire Prevention Week has been observed annually for 94 years and was created to pay tribute to those who lost family and property in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
“The purpose of Fire Prevention Week is to bring awareness to people about fire safety,” said James Montoya, Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention with the 49th CES. “Following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and all its devastation, there was a huge drive to raise education about fire safety to the population.”
During the week, members of the 49th CES Fire Protection Flight spread fire safety and prevention information by visiting schools and several base organizations. They performed fire drills, educated people on the proper fire extinguisher usage, and stressed the importance of changing smoke alarm batteries semi-annually.
“Some common mistakes people make are not familiarizing themselves with their surroundings,” said Montoya. “Some people fail to educate themselves or their children on how to get out of their homes when a fire occurs or where to meet so that we can have accountability. Fire prevention weeks helps us remind and educate people of the importance of this."