Vandenberg kicks off National Fire Prevention Week

  • Published
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
The Vandenberg Fire Prevention Office is scheduled to host numerous events Oct. 3 - 8 in support of National Fire Prevention Week.

This year's theme is "BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Smoke Alarms: A sound you can live with!"

Events coming up include fire prevention information handed out at the Base Exchange Oct. 4 - 5.

Sparky the Fire Dog and Smokey the Bear are scheduled to visit the Child Development Center to teach children about fire safety Oct. 6. Children can also tour two fire stations.

Furthermore, a fire safety assembly is scheduled at Manzanita School Oct. 7; the winners of a fire safety poster contest will be announced at this event as well. A similar event is scheduled for Crestview School Oct. 27.

A Fire Prevention Week Parade is scheduled for Oct. 7 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. through the main areas of base and base housing. The parade will include the Vandenberg Fire Department, Vandenberg Hot Shots, various base commanders, security forces and an ambulance.

The week will culminate with the Fire Muster Competition Oct. 8 between 10 a.m. and noon. The Fire Muster is a competition between the different squadrons on base that tests participants on the various tasks that firefighters do in their day-to-day operations.

"The events planned for Fire Prevention Week are essential to saving lives for adults and especially children," said Scott Balatgek, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector.

"This year's theme is dedicated to smoke alarms. Between 2003 and 2006, roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms," said Balatgek.