Firefighters urge preparedness during Fire Prevention Week

By KENDALL KING on October 14, 2022.

Medicine Hat Fire Services members are reminding Hatters of the danger fire poses, and encouraging the creation of an advanced emergency plan during their annual Fire Prevention Week, taking place Oct. 9-15.

“We celebrate this week as kind of a reminder for people who are living life to slow down and think about fire safety and what they would do in case of a fire before it actually happens,” fire prevention officer Carter Gramlich told the News. “This year’s theme is ‘Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.’ So, we’re making sure that everybody’s got working smoke alarms in their houses, (which are) going to give you a lot of a warning, and then have a fire escape plan.”

Throughout the week, Gramlich and other service members have been sharing tips on how to stay safe – including how to create a fire escape plan – on social media, as well as in schools.

“During the pandemic, we pivoted to provide handouts for children to share with their families,” said Gramlich. “But children are more eager to understand with the ability to interact and ask questions when we are right in the classroom (so) our firefighters are looking forward to once again visiting local schools.”

Some of the most important points Gramlich and his team make are to ensure there are working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of a residence; make note of all exists in the residence, including windows, and ensure the exit is accessible if necessary; and develop and practice an escape plan in preparation for an emergency, prioritizing the safety of residents and leaving behind material items.

“The other important thing for people to realize is that a fire may be in another part of the house and (you think) you’re not at risk of getting burned, the smoke from a fire – especially a house fire – is extremely toxic,” said Gramlich. “You might be another area of the home, but you still have to get out of there.”

While many people never experience an emergency fire situation during their lifetime, Gramlich says there are no guarantees when it comes to fire, and so, it is best to be prepared.

“Every day we see close calls,” he said. “Somebody’s got a little bit distracted while cooking (or they were) working in the garage trying to repair something with an open flame or whatever, but it kind of highlights the reasoning that it pays to have a fire escape plan, working smoke alarms and maybe a fire extinguisher in your house, (so) when these unfortunate things happen you’re prepared to deal with it.”

More information about fire prevention and advanced safety planning techniques can be found online at fpw.org.