JBLE to hold events in support of fire prevention week

Photo By Erik Siegel | Firefighter Kenneth Casey, assigned to the 733rd Mission Support Group Fire and Emergency Services Departments, talks with a father as his son sits in fire truck driver’s seat during a “Touch-a-Truck” event held at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Sept. 13, 2019. The children had the opportunity to meet police officers, fire fighters and emergency medical services members who are responsible for the safety on Fort Eustis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Erik Siegel)  

NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

10.02.2019

Story by Staff Sgt. Robert Hicks 

Joint Base Langley-Eustis

Joint Base Langley-Eustis will celebrate National Fire Prevention week starting Oct. 6, with a number of events held around the post.

National Fire Prevention Week has been a stapled tradition used to educate communities on the importance of fire and life safety. “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice your Escape,” is the theme for 2019’s Fire Prevention Week. This year’s campaign places emphasis on everyday people who strive to motivate their community to implement and maintain fire escape plans in their homes.

Fort Eustis Fire and Emergency Services Flight is committed to providing the fire education needed for heroes to emerge on the installation. Heroes not only save people from fires, but also prevent fires from occurring.

With the 2019 Fire Prevention Week’s theme placing emphasis on planning escape routes within the home, Fort Eustis firefighters will use the acronym E.D.I.T.H. (exit drills in the home).

The acronym was introduced in 1994, and is used to educate families on the importance of having an evacuation plan. Additionally, it’s important to check smoke detectors semi-annually, practice safe habits to minimize possible causes of fire, and know where the most accessible exits are located in your home in the event of a fire. The evacuation plan will aid your escape efforts if a fire were to occur.

Here are a few tips for practicing E.D.I.T.H:
- Stay low to the ground or crawl to avoid smoke
- Exit the door
- Have a meeting place outside
- Once you’re out, stay out!
The Fort Eustis Fire Department will also host Fire Prevention Week educational activities throughout the week to include:
- Oct. 7 - 11 Installation housing door-to-door safety campaign 4-6 p.m.
- Oct. 8 - Visit Child Development Center (Bldg. 926) 9:30 a.m.
- Oct. 9 - Courtesy blood pressure checks (Bldg. 1382 Commissary) 11 a.m.
- Oct. 10 - Visit CDC (Bldg. 1140) 9:30 a.m.
- Oct. 11 - Courtesy blood pressure checks (Bldg. 1382 Commissary) 11 a.m.
- Oct. 12 - Fire department open house (Bldg. 648 Fire Department) 10 a.m. to noon

For additional information contact Fort Eustis Fire and Emergency Services at [phone] Ext. 354 or 321.

• Date Taken: 10.02.2019
• Date Posted: 10.02.2019 09:03
• Story ID: 345256
• Location: NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA, US