Calgary’s ‘Fire Prevention Week’ advocates for fire safety during 100th-anniversary

Calgary is raising awareness about fire safety as part of Fire Prevention Week, as they celebrate their 100th anniversary.

This year Calgarians have experienced a slight increase in fires including an outbreak of 306 residential fires from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31.

“It is the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week which started in the States as a result of the Great Chicago Fire. And the first day of Fire Prevention Week is today and goes until Saturday,” said Carol Henke, Publication Information Officer for the Calgary Fire Department.

Fire Prevention Week originally began in Canada in 1919 as an annual day to recognize the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Did you know… Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. #FirePreventionWeek pic.twitter.com/r9TBGqaoph

— Lincoln Fire Rescue (@TOLFireRescue) October 9, 2022

Today begins the 100th Anniversary of Fire Prevention Week with this year's theme, "Fire won't wait. Plan your escape". Check out https://t.co/4ZI1XV3HU5 for social banners, resources, and more. #FirePreventionWeek #FirePreventionWeek22 pic.twitter.com/vL293YvmEO

— Sparky the Fire Dog (@Sparky_Fire_Dog) October 9, 2022

The theme for this year’s fire prevention week is “Fire won’t wait, plan your escape.”

“Fire prevention and fire safety should be a daily routine for everyone and most of the fires we attend are preventable and can cause a lot of damage and worst case scenario injury and fatality,” said Henke.

On Oct. 9 the Calgary Fire Department will be hosting four open houses where you can drop by to learn more about fire safety, get to know your local firefighters, tour trucks, and even win some great prizes.

The event will be held in all quadrants of the city including Fire Stations 30, 37, 31, and 42.

The department will also be hosting an informational seminar on Oct. 15 at the Genesis Centre.

“So we are kicking Fire Prevention Week off with open houses at four different stations. I’m down here at 30 Station at Mckenzie Towne and the open house is on until 4 p.m.”

“So families are welcomed to come on down we have tons of information on fire safety, fire prevention, we got the trucks [and] lots of photos ops inside the fire truck, in front of the fire truck, [and] we have uniformed staff ready to speak to anyone regarding any questions about fire safety and fire prevention.” 

As per tradition, the Calgary Fire Department will also visit one Calgary community to install new smoke alarms for free, with this year’s designate being South Hill.

They will also provide carbon monoxide detectors alongside ATCO.

“And really the point we want to make is that most fires are preventable. And the most common type of fire we attend that starts inside is cooking left unattended. And so it’s Thanksgiving weekend so a lot more people are going to be in the kitchen cooking. But cooking is something most people do on a daily basis and it does create a fire risk if you get distracted and leave the kitchen. So that is a type of fire that we attend on a daily basis.”

“The most common type of fire we attend that starts outside and is accidental is smoking material put in planter pots or in any sort of vegetation,” Henke adds.

She says it’s a reminder there are things you can do to prevent fires from happening.

“We want to encourage people to test their smoke alarms, make sure their smoke alarms haven’t expired, test once a month, change the batteries once a year and if your smoke alarm is over ten years old you need to replace it,” said Henke.

The Calgary Fire Department says that you have on average less than 2 minutes to get out of the house after your smoke alarm sounds and suggests that it’s crucial for everyone to have both a properly working fire alarm and a house escape plan in case of a crisis.

“Fires burn hotter and faster these days in our homes because of all the man-made materials that we have and you literally have less than 2 minutes once a fire takes hold to get out of your home quickly and safely,” said Henke. 

“Working smoke alarms and a home escape plan are the two most important factors when it comes to keeping you and your family safe in the event of a fire,” said Jeff Budai, Community Safety Coordinator with the Calgary Fire Department.

He adds “With less than two minutes to get out of your home, there is no time to think; you must take action.

“We want all Calgarians to stay safe by preparing an escape plan and practicing it with all members of their family,” said Budai.

Henke says it’s a reminder there are things you can do to prevent fires from happening.

“The smoke from a house fire is super toxic. A couple of breaths will render you incapable of getting out safely. So it’s super important to have a home escape plan. We recommend you practice it twice a year with your family,” said Henke. 

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The Calgary Fire Department says that there should be fire alarms in at least every bedroom and in all other miscellaneous areas on each level of your home including basements.

They add the house escape plan should also address some key hacks including providing two ways out of each and every sleeping area, confirming that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working including being able to recognize the sound, having a safe and secure meeting space or rendezvous point a short distance from your home and lastly, putting into practice your escape plan a couple of times of during the year including sharing these plans with any overnight guests.

“And keep in mind any people in your family that have mobility impairments, also you want to include your pets, and if you have guests for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas make sure that they are aware [of] what your home escape plan, what your address it and what number to call in case of an emergency,” said Henke. 

Henke adds they want people to call 911 from safe and secure premises outside of the house in case of an emergency fire outbreak and the only time you should ever call from inside your house is if you’re trapped in the fire.