It’s pizza and fire prevention

Posted 10/11/16

Households can have their smoke detectors inspected while kids have a ball celebrating Fire Prevention Week at schools, preschools and at the Powell Fire Department on Saturday.

Powell households ordering Domino’s delivery tonight (Tuesday) can …

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It’s pizza and fire prevention

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Though fire prevention education is their goal, it’s hard to tell who’s having more fun: Powell Volunteer Fire Department firefighters or the people they aim to reach during Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9-15.

Households can have their smoke detectors inspected while kids have a ball celebrating Fire Prevention Week at schools, preschools and at the Powell Fire Department on Saturday.

Powell households ordering Domino’s delivery tonight (Tuesday) can have their smoke detectors checked free by one of the Powell firefighters delivering pizza from 5-8 p.m.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Don’t Wait. Check the Date.”

Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Know the age of all alarms in the home, the association says. Find out by examining the back of the alarm for the manufacture date.

Checking detectors is simple, said Powell firefighter Mike Hawes.

Every detector should have a test button, Hawes said. Push it and, if the alarm doesn’t sound, replace the battery immediately. If the detector still doesn’t sound following battery replacement, a new detector is necessary.

For those wishing to have a pizza delivery firefighter inspect their alarms, just ask, and they’ll be happy to take a look. Inspected homes also get a free Domino’s coupon, Hawes said.

The battery must be replaced annually, he said. One method to remember is to change the battery on a birthday, because that’s an easily remembered date.

Fire prevention week is for kids, too.

The firefighter’s annual puppet show will take place at Parkside Elementary School.

Following the fire wise puppets, the guys will answer questions, Hawes said. Then a firefighter in full gear crawls through imitation smoke to greet the kids. That offers children a chance to touch the firefighter and realize he’s human and nothing to be scared of. “Also, the kids get a kick out it,” Hawes said.

Firefighters can look a little scary with all their equipment like big helmets and oxygen masks, he said. “We want them to know you don’t have to be afraid of us no matter what we’re wearing.”

The week wraps up with an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Powell Fire Department, 1101 E. South St.

There will be cookies, soft drinks, hot dogs and hamburgers, Hawes said.

Firefighters will demonstrate vehicle extrication and Hawes said he may be a “victim” in one of the “wrecked” cars.

Students from every elementary school grade give each truck a new moniker for the year, Hawes said. “It’s fun to see the new names they come up with.”

Firefighters will have an exhibit showing how smoke from a fire travels through a home, Hawes said.

Sparky — the department’s highly huggable canine mascot — will be there, too.

Spending time with children and seeing the delight in their eyes are what make the week so special for Powell firefighters, Hawes said. “I get a real kick out of how excited the kids are.”

Much of the week’s effort is to teach children fire safety and to not fear firefighters, but their objective is to instruct fire safety to all ages, Hawes said.

This is where Powell firefighters make their homes and raise families, he said. “We’re here for the community.”

Hawes is a Park County Sheriff’s Office deputy and he said many of his fellow firefighters are also EMTs. Job one is serving their community.

“We want to do something to give back,” he said.

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