SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The procedures of stop, drop, and roll have been ingrained in our heads since we were children. Having an escape plan, a meetup point and a safe place to dial 911 in the case of a fire is essential. Spangdahlem Air Base’s annual fire prevention week serves to teach children how to stay safe.
Spangdahlem’s annual fire prevention week themed, “Plan and Practice your Escape”, focuses on educating children on creating an escape plan, and to practice preparation for if a fire breaks out.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Forge, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in-charge of fire prevention, stated that the leading causes of fires on base are those started by leaving cooking food unattended, and fires unintentionally started by children.
Forge stated that since Spangdahlem has multiple schools and a large population of children, the theme this year is focusing on them.
“On base, since we have schools here, we can reach out to the kids,” said Forge. “It’s easy for us to do things you wouldn’t normally be able to do in the community.”
Forge said that during fire prevention week, the fire protection crew members perform demonstrations for the kids, hand out goody bags, and educate the importance of fire safety and prevention.
“Our hope is that kids will take what they have learned from us and educate their parents on it at home,” said Forge. “We want them to test their smoke alarms, draw the escape plan, and get their parents involved.”
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, home fire escape practices include getting low to the floor in the case of smoke, never going back into the house for people, things or pets, and immediately going to the designated meeting place to call 911.
The main event of fire prevention week will occur on Oct. 26, at the base Commissary parking lot. Events will include a bouncy house, Sparky the Fire Dog, fire hose bowling, information booths, smoke trailer, fire extinguisher training, emergency vehicle displays, and cone spraying.