“Practice your escape plan” during fire prevention week

Students from Mrs. DeFrancesco’s first grade class watch firefighters from the Munising Township and Munising City Volunteer Fire Departments explain different aspects of fighting fires as part of Fire Prevention Week activities at Mather Elementary on Tues. Oct. 10. Brice Burge
By Dave Fulcher Volunteer Firefighter

National Fire Prevention Week commemorates the anniversary of two of the most devastating fires in United States history: the great Chicago Fire and the Peshtigo Fire. Both fires began around 9:00 p.m. on October 8, 1871 and continued through the next day. The Chicago Fire took the lives of 250 people, left another 10,000 homeless and consumed 17,400 structures over 2,000 acres. The wildfire in Peshtigo was the worst of the two fires, yet many people have never heard of it. Within one day, 1,200 people perished in the Peshtigo conflagration. Seventeen towns were consumed and 1.5 million acres were scorched.

Each year, the Munising Volunteer Fire Department, along with firefighters from Munising Township Fire Department, participate in National Fire Prevention Week activities by visiting local elementary and pre-schools and by offering tours of the fire station.

“A fire can spread through a home rapidly, and in some cases, individuals may have as little as two minutes to escape to safety once the alarm sounds,” said Harold Anderson, Munising Township Fire Chief.

Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14 and “Practice Your Escape Plan” is this year’s theme, emphasizing the need for families to create and practice a family fire escape plan for their home.

“In addition to installing smoke alarms and keeping them working properly, the development of a fire escape plan is critical,” said Red Anderson, Munising Fire Chief.

Firefighters offer the following tips on escape plans:

• Draw a floor plan of your home

• Mark two ways out of every room

• Have your kids help you with this plan

• Review escape routes with everyone in the household

• Decide on a family meeting place outside so everyone knows where to gather

• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year

• Try escaping from different rooms • See that everyone can unlock doors and open windows quickly

• Keep your exits clear of obstructions and

• Once you are out, stay out! Additional businesses like Mazzali Agency and Pat’s Foods will be providing helpful literature and treats for participating children. Smokey Bear from the U.S. Forest Service will also be at many of the events.

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