October 10, 2006 > Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week'Prevent Cooking Fires, Watch What you Heat' by Lance Dwyer
It could have been a phone call that took your attention away for five minutes or a television program that was just too exciting to leave. Or maybe even an unexpected visitor at the door. Distractions such as these are possible culprits to more than 100,000 household fires that occur each year due to cooking mishaps.
October 8 to 14 marks the 15th annual Fire Prevention Week for area firefighters including the Newark Fire Department (NFD). The theme this year is appropriately titled: "Prevent Cooking Fires, Watch What you Heat." NFD, along with other departments hope to raise awareness among families in the Tri-City area about cooking fires and offer strategies and practical advice for safe cooking. The week will end with open houses at selected stations (see list below) including Newark's Fire Station #3. All community members are invited to take part in this free event in which everyone can learn more about the operations of a fire station and general fire safety practices.
Newark's open house will include tours of the station, fire safety workshops and fire equipment demonstrations. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet some of the city's finest fire fighters and police officers.
Fire departments participating in Fire Prevention Week activities will also be offering information about local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and Personal Emergency Preparedness (PEP) classes at open houses.
CERT is a program in which community members can be trained in order to assist the fire department in the event of a major disaster. Training includes light search and rescue, basic disaster preparedness, disaster medicine and fire fighting. PEP classes offer training in creating a disaster preparedness plan, what to do before, during and after a disaster as well as what food and supplies to have on hand.
Area fire departments that will host Fire Prevention Week are:
Newark
Newark Fire Department Open House
Saturday, Oct. 14
Noon to 4 p.m.
Fire Station #3
Corner of Mowry Ave. and Cherry St., Newark
(510) 790-7218
Fremont
The Fremont Fire Department will hold a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 14 as well as open houses at all stations. The breakfast will support Fire Department programs such as the Rehab Unit, which assists department personnel on all major incidents; Explorer Post #173, which provides internships for high school and college students to work within the Fire Department; and the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, which works to enhance the quality of life for burn survivors and promote burn prevention. A $5 donation, $3 for children 10 years old or younger, is requested; tickets may be purchased at the door.
Pancake Breakfast Benefit
Saturday, Oct. 14
8 a.m. to Noon
Fire Station #9
39609 Stevenson Place, Fremont
(510) 494-4213
Open House and Station Tour
Saturday, Oct. 14
9 a.m. to Noon
(510) 494-4213
Fremont's Fire Stations:
Fire Station #1- 39183 State Street
Fire Station #2 - 37645 2nd Street
Fire Station #3 - 40700 Chapel Way
Fire Station #4 - 1000 Pine Street
Fire Station #5 - 55 Hackamore Lane
Fire Station #6 - 37412 Fremont Boulevard
Fire Station #7 - 43600 South Grimmer Boulevard
Fire Station #8 - 3723 Darwin Drive
Fire Station #9 - 39609 Stevenson Place
Fire Station #10 - 5001 Deep Creek Road
Union City
The public is invited to tour Union City Fire Station #1 and meet the men and women of the department. Activities will include firefighter demonstrations, health and safety education, refreshments, balloons and UCFD's fire prevention character, Sprinkler the Clown.
Open House Tour
Saturday, Oct. 14
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fire Station #1
33555 Central Ave.
(510) 657-5470
Hayward
In celebration of Fire Prevention Week, Sparky the fire dog and his friends from the Hayward Fire Department will be at Southland Mall, Entrance 1 near Sears in Hayward on Saturday Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Fire Prevention Bureau will display the Fire Safety Trailer donated by Fireman's Insurance Fund, a Fire Engine and fire safety educational booths. The trailer is an educational tool in teaching children what to do in case of a fire inside their home. It has the capability to create smoke and actuate a smoke detector giving the children a simulated experience as if there was a fire in their home. For further information, contact Hayward Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau at (510) 583-4900.
Fire Prevention Week Celebration
Saturday Oct. 14
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Southland Mall, Entrance 1 near Sears in Hayward
(510) 583-4900
Milpitas
The Milpitas Fire Department will hold their open house on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Fire Station #1. This date was moved to coincide with IAFF Local 1699 fundraising kick-off for the Toys for Tots program. Community members should call (408) 586-2800 for time and tour information. On display at City Hall will be the Kids Safe House trailer to help visitors find out about fire safety, "Stop, Drop and Roll" techniques and "Candles for Care."
Open House Tours
Saturday, Oct. 28
Fire Station #1
777 South Main St.
Call for time: (408) 586-2800 |
