Calgary Fire Department and Alberta Fire Commissioner kick off 2014 Fire Prevention Week
The Calgary Fire Department and Alberta’s Office of the Fire Commissioner kicked off Fire Prevention Week at the Fire Training Academy, ATCO Village this morning. The event debuted the Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Week video, demonstrating the importance of smoke alarms and promoted this year’s theme – working smoke alarms save lives.
“Albertans need to be proactive in preventing fires to protect their families and keep their communities safe,” said Alberta Fire Commissioner Trent West. “Keep your loved ones out of harm’s way by having a working smoke alarm in your home and check it monthly. Fire safety is every Albertan’s responsibility.”
In 2013, the Calgary Fire Department responded to more than 15,000 fires. Of those fires 23 per cent were residential fires in homes without smoke alarms. Across the province, 56 per cent of home fires occurred in a residence without smoke alarms.
“Families have only minutes to escape from a house fire,” said Calgary Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc. “We hope that during Fire Prevention Week every resident makes the effort to check and ensure their smoke alarms are working. Our video shows how quick and easy it is, and we know that it does save lives.”
Members of the public are invited to come out and learn about smoke alarm installation and testing as well as general fire prevention and safety measures this Saturday, Oct. 4th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bowness Fire Station, 6328 35th Ave. N.W., Calgary.
Fire Prevention Week was proclaimed in Canada in 1919 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, as well as a major fire that destroyed the Centre Block of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa on February 3, 1916. The Calgary Fire Department 2014 Fire Prevention Week is sponsored by Safeway and supported by ATCO Gas.
“Safeway is located in 28 communities across Calgary and our stores play an integral role in the lives of Calgarians through their support of community initiatives,” said Betty Kellsey, Public Affairs for Safeway Operations. “Supporting Fire Prevention Week is a natural extension of our relationship with our customers and we are delighted to be part of this year’s program”.
For more information about the Calgary Fire Department 2014 Fire Prevention Week and to see the Fire Prevention Week video visit www.calgary.ca/fire and to learn more about how to prevent detect and escape from fires visit www.3minutedrill.alberta.ca.
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