Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week has been observed in the United States since 1925 during the week in which October 9 falls.
During our visits to the Winthrop Grade School we have the opportunity to get kids comfortable with gear and equipment. This is done with the hope that if they were in a fire they wound not be afraid of firefighters. We also show and teach the importance of sleeping with your bedroom door closed.
We also continue the tradition of having an open house at the fire station during this week.
This gives residents a chance to come down to the department and have a chance to meet some of the firefighters and our tools. We will have fire prevention materials available to help continue this learning process. We also have food, Smokey the Bear and fire truck rides.
Operation Get Alarmed
The Winthrop Fire Department launched a new annual program during Fire Prevention Week 2003 called “Operation Get Alarmed." Every year in the United States there are about 4,266 deaths and 24,913 injuries from fire.
Of these fires, 80% occur in a residential setting. Many of these deaths and injuries that can be prevented if the residence had a properly installed and maintained smoke detector.
The program was started by Lieutenant Mark Arsenault, who came up with the idea of passing out smoke detectors during the annual visits to the Winthrop Grade School. The program is now run by Fire Prevention Officer, Lieutenant Chris Ross. Every year during Fire Prevention week a considerable amount of time is spent in the Winthrop Grade School educating children about the dangers of fire.
In the first year, 400 smoke detectors were passed out to every child in the grade school. The program even offers detectors to any family that may have children who are home schooled.
The Winthrop Firefighters Association and donations from local insurance agencies help fund operation Get Alarmed.
If you would like information about obtaining a detector for your home, contact us and we would be more than happy to help.
Thanks very much to Deputy Chief Mark Arsenault, Lt. Walter Mooers and Firefighter Patrick Brennan in the efforts to get this program going. We also would like to thank the Thomas Insurance Agency and Brennan Insurance Agency for their donations to fund the program.
