Firefighters focus on safety during 'Fire Prevention Week'

Local News

Related Photos

Members of Gainesville Fire Department perform a fire prevention program at Gainesville Middle School. This year’s Fire Prevention Week activities focus on encouraging residents including children to plan at least two escape routes in case they get caught inside a burning building. File photo

Guest Book

October 9, 2012

Firefighters focus on safety during 'Fire Prevention Week'

Staff Report Gainesville Daily Register The Daily Register Tue Oct 09, 2012, 08:29 AM CDT

Gainesville — Members of Gainesville Fire and Rescue are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association during Fire Prevention Week — which began Sunday and extends through Saturday — to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!”

This year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.

According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds in 2010.

That added up to 369,500 home structure fires, which caused 13,350 injuries and 2,640 deaths.

Statistics indicate that one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Gainesville safety officials want to ensure that area residents know what to do if a fire breaks out in their home. Preparation is an important part of being able to deal with an emergency and it is crucial to take steps to prepare one’s family for the potential of a home fire by having an escape plan and practicing it.

“Having a tried-and-true escape plan with two ways out is essential to ensuring your family’s safety should fire break out in your home,” said Tamara Sieger of Gainesville Fire and Rescue.

Gainesville Fire and Rescue recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape:

• Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.

• Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.

• Write emergency telephone numbers on your escape plan and make sure everyone knows to call 911 for the fire department

• Sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape drill with everyone living in your home. Change batteries when the time changes.

• Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and practice the drill twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.

Members of Gainesville Fire and Rescue will be presenting fire safety clown skits to local schools during Fire Prevention Week to promote “Have Two Ways Out!” Additionally, the department will have a booth at Depot Day in Gainesville on Saturday to stress the importance of fire safety. To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Gainesville, please contact Gainesville Fire-Rescue at (940) 668-7777. Additional information is available at www.firepreventionweek.org.

Text Only

Local News

New members join GISD board of trustees
New school board officers Corey Hardin (Place 7) and Kent Sharp (Place 6) were sworn in by Judge Chris Cypert during the Gainesville Independent School District Board meeting Monday.

May 22, 2013 1 Photo
'Shattered Dreams' makes impact at GHS
A mock drunk driving automobile accident known as “Shattered Dreams” was staged at Gainesville High School Tuesday as teachers and students witnessed what could happen if the decision was made to ride in a car with an alcohol-impaired driver.

May 22, 2013 2 Photos
Postal workers observe 'Dog Bite Awareness' week
Gainesville postal officials recently sent a reminder about “National Dog Bite Prevention Week,” which began Sunday, spans through Saturday and is sponsored by the United States Postal Service.

May 22, 2013 2 Photos
GEDC supports NTMC Foundation balloon festival
The North Texas Medical Center (NTMC) Balloon Festival and updates on the Medal of Honor Park were on the agenda at the May 20 Gainesville Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) meeting.

May 22, 2013
Mud Run fun
Both children and adults had a blast at this year’s “M-o-o-ving Thru’ the Mud with Landon.”

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Donation drive set to help storm victims
Donations for survivors in need following severe tornado damage in Cleburne and Granbury are currently being accepted at Bealls Department Store in the Gainesville Shopping Center.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Devastation slows recovery effort in Moore, Okla.
A tornado that was described as “absolutely horrific” blazed a path of destruction across this Oklahoma southeast community that now has felt Mother’s Nature’s most powerful punch several times in the past 20 years.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Land deal could bring corporations to city
Today’s Gainesville City Council meeting includes a public hearing on a Gainesville Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) petition to annex 143 acres of land into city limits.

May 21, 2013
Texas adds more than 33K new jobs in April
Texas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment expanded by 33,100 jobs in April. Texas added 326,100 jobs from April 2012 to April 2013. The state’s annual growth rate in April stood at 3.0 percent, and has been above 2.5 percent since the beginning of 2012. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in April at 6.4 percent. It remains well below the nation’s April unemployment rate of 7.5 percent.

May 21, 2013
Fire support and rehab team donates to Callisburg VFD
Cooke County Fire Support and Rehab Team recently purchased some items for Callisburg Volunteer Fire Department.

May 18, 2013 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

What are your plans for this summer's travel season?