‘Look, Listen, Learn’ is the 2018 theme for National Fire Prevention Week.

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Fire Department will be participating in National Fire Prevention Week, and as part of this year’s campaign will be encouraging the public to “Look, Listen, Learn” and be aware that a fire can happen anywhere.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) website, the campaign will focus on looking at your home or surroundings to identify possible fire hazards, listening for the sound of a smoke alarm and responding to it, and learning and making available at least two means of egress from every room. The website includes interactive activities for children.

West Hartford Fire Department Station 4 on Albany Avenue. Courtesy photo

Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 7-13, and the West Hartford Fire Department has scheduled an open house for the public at Station 4, 2458 Albany Ave. in Bishops Corner, on Thursday, Oct. 11, from 6-8 p.m.

“There will be activities for children – stop, drop and roll, crawl low in smoke, spray the fire hose – and adults can learn and practice fire extinguisher use and learn more about our paramedic program,” Assistant Chief Mike Sinsigalli said.

Firefighters as well as representatives from the fire marshal’s office will also be on hand to respond to any questions about topics including fire safety, fire codes, and juvenile fire setters.

“Residents are encourage to visit the station, check out the fire apparatus, and speak with the firefighters,” Sinsigalli said.

West Hartford firefighters have also started visiting schools with the fire apparatus to educate students about fire safety, Sinsigalli said, and will also visit individual classrooms at the request of teachers.

In addition, Sinsigalli said that outside of Fire Prevention Week and the scheduled open house, all stations are open for visits during normal business hours, seven days a week. “We encourage residents to stop in as long as the firefighters are in quarters,” he said. 

Fire Prevention Week, sponsored by the NFPA, is the longest-running public health and safety observance on record.

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