374 AW commander declares 2012 Fire Prevention Week

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Col. Mark August, 374th Airlift Wing commander, signs a proclamation initiating Fire Prevention Week at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 14, 2012. According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,389,500 fires, an increase of 4.4 percent from the year before. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)

374 AW commander declares 2012 Fire Prevention Week

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Col. Mark August, center, 374th Airlift Wing commander, and members from the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department pose for photo Sept. 14, 2012, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,389,500 fires in 2011. There was an average of one civilian fire death every 208 minutes and a civilian fire injury every 30 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)

Yokota recognizes 2012 Fire Prevention Week

Published Sept. 17, 2012
By Osakabe Yasuo
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 374th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department will recognize Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 7 to 13 at Yokota.

Fire Prevention Week is an annual event which honors the sacrifices of firefighters throughout the U.S. It also pays tribute to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed more than 250 people and destroyed more than 17,400 buildings.

The theme for this year is "Have Two Ways Out!" to encourage families to prioritize fire escape planning and practice.

The campaign leads to have a home fire escape plan that prepares families to think fast and get out quickly when a smoke alarm sounds. If one exit is blocked by smoke, it's imperative to plan for another escape outlet.

To promote fire safety and the safety of their families, the Yokota community can participate in fire prevention activities at home, work and school. The slated schedule of events are as follows:

Oct. 7
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Educational video and fire extinguisher demonstration at the Yokota Community Center entrance

Oct. 9-10
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Children fire safety house at Joan K. Mendel Elementary School
6 to 8 p.m. - Kid's Night Out at Yokota Enlisted Club

Oct. 11-12
8:30 - 11 a.m. - Children fire safety house at Yokota West Elementary School
12- 4:00 p.m. - Fire Muster at Yokota Main Fire Station

Oct. 13
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Fire prevention week finale ceremony at the YCC, includes bouncy house, vehicle displays, and a Tokyo Fire Department ladder truck demonstration