DMFD Fired Up For Fire Prevention Week

From the City of Des Moines:

Thursday, October 3, 2019

The Des Moines Fire Department is hosting a series of events Oct. 6-12 in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”

City firefighters will be at every Des Moines Public Library location to share fire safety-themed stories during storytime, with readings provided in both English and Spanish at the East Side Library. Kids will also have the chance to explore a fire truck and firefighter equipment at the East Side, Forest Avenue, Franklin Avenue, North Side and South Side libraries. Information on Fire Prevention Week storytime events can be found at dmpl.org/events/calendar.

Additionally, the Fire Department received more than 150 submissions to their Fire Prevention Week poster contest from Des Moines elementary school students. Winners will be recognized at a reception at 6 p.m. next Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the DMFD administration building, 2715 Dean Avenue in Des Moines. The grand prize winners will receive a very special ride to school in a fire truck.

Des Moines firefighters use the week as an opportunity to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. DMFD responded to 637 fires in 2018, with fire incidents resulting in 22 civilian injuries and 4 civilian deaths.

Fire Prevention Week is held annually in partnership with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA established Fire Prevention week to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres on Oct. 8 in 1871.

This press release was produced by the City of Des Moines. The views expressed here are the author’s own.