WMFD highlights fire prevention, safety

WMFD highlights fire prevention, safety

news@theeveningtimes.com

National Fire Prevention and Safety Week has turned into a month-long effort at the West Memphis Fire Department. Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Jones reported to the city council fire department sub committees that efforts started early and will run the entire month of October. Fire fighters will be in front of a record number of school children and community groups during the push. Churches, community groups, and schools are on the list of destinations for the prevention presentations. Sparky the fire dog mascot is only part of the program.

“We started last month,” said Jones. “We went to Avondale school early and West Memphis Christian pre-school. Last week our fire marshal, Chief Rose made a presentation to senior adults at West Memphis First Baptist Church. So it’s not just for the kids that we do this.”

Many more people will hear about fire safety in person this year.

“In the past we’ve seen 600 to 800 children,” said Jones. “This year we are looking at well over 1,000.

We will do preschools, day cares and pre-k’s. We will go out to Earle to help their volunteer fire department too.”

Children are often afraid of fire fighters when they need them the most. Part of the demonstration serves to familiarize children with suited up helpers.

“One of the things we do is put on our turnout gear in front of them,” said Jones.

“They see what we look like before and after. Then we take the gear off in front of them so they will know us. That is what it all about.”

Smoke detectors are available to city residents for the asking and a reminder was issued at the meeting as part of the safety focus.

“Any resident can call us, give us their address and phone number,” said Jones.

“We will call before we come to install the alarms and it is all free. They were bought on a grant requiring us to install them. These new ones are amazing, good for ten years.”

The department will be doing fund raising for a good charity. While the traditional Jerry Lewis Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association has gone by the way side, local fire fighters remain dedicated to the cause. WMFD has been collecting with their boots on corners for the MDA more than 25 years, but that has changed.

“Our MDA “fill the boot” campaign is the weekend of October 20,” announced Jones. “We used to do this before Labor Day. They did away with the telethon, opening it up to us to do anytime during the year. You can find us up at Walmart for this good cause.

Chief Jones extended kudos to the retail giant.

“The good thing about Walmart is they usually match what we raise.”

By John Rech