SMFD Captain Brian Quackenbush tries to explain to the rowdy clown brothers Hoolie (firefighter Tanner McLean), Specs (firefighter Miles Maynor) and Chewie (Captain Sean Garrison) about fire safety while being alone at home during their fire safety skit at Hernandez Elementary last week. Daily Record file photo by Denise Cathey
Fire Prevention Week celebrations slated
The San Marcos Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” to educate the public about basic but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire.
The SMFD is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign:
- SMFD annual Open House on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Station #5, 100 Carlson Circle in San Marcos. The event is free, and highlights include fire truck rides, clown show, vehicle rescue and Hays Unmanned Robotics Team demonstrations, child ID kits, and big rescue trucks and a helicopter.
- Domino’s on Wonder World Drive and NFPA are teaming with the SMFD to promote working smoke detectors on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 3 – 5 p.m. Anyone who orders a Domino’s pizza that day may be randomly selected to have their pizza delivered aboard a fire engine. If the smoke alarms in the home are working, the pizza is free. If the smoke alarms are not working, the firefighters will install fully functioning alarms or replace the batteries. Customers can call Domino’s in San Marcos at 512-392-7272 to place their order and be eligible for the fire engine delivery.
- Firefighters dressed as goofy, friendly clowns will be visiting area public elementary schools with a new educational clown show. The Fire Department will also be teaching basic fire safety to children at daycare facilities.
This year’s “Look. Listen. Learn.” campaign highlights three steps people can take to help quickly and safely escape a fire:
- Look for places fire could start
- Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm
- Learn two ways out of every room
While NFPA and the San Marcos Fire Department are focusing on home fires, these fire safety messages apply virtually anywhere.
“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Fire Chief Les Stephens. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”
NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week since 1922.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit Fire Prevention Week's website. If you would like the San Marcos Fire Department to visit your facility to teach fire safety, call 512-805-2660.
