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For 100 years, firefighters have taken time to go out into our communities in an effort to educate residents on safety measures they can take to prevent fires as well as the actions needed in the event a fire takes place in their home or business.
That work has been continuing across the country over the last few days as part of Fire Prevention Week. Held with assistance from the National Fire Protection Association, Fire Prevention Week has been observed since 1922, receiving national attention through a proclamation in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge. It is now the longest-running public health observance in the country.
The aim is to remind individuals of ways to stay safe in case of a fire.
Locally, firefighters have been visiting schools to provide potentially life-saving information, meet with students and teach them the importance of developing a safety plan for their homes, how to call for emergency services by dialing 911, and, in some cases, even help them practice some of these important skills through various pieces of equipment.
It is important to build these relationships between our emergency services providers and our residents, especially our younger residents. Learning what to do at a young age, and throughout their lives, reinforces these skills and may contribute toward the saving of lives in the event a fire does take place.
We thank our firefighters every day, of course, but this week in particular helps to remind us of the important role they play in our society.