Some 1,500 children will learn about fire safety this month as the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department observes Fire Prevention Safety Week with programs set throughout the month of October.
Tuesday night, Roanoke Rapids City Council honored the fire department with a proclamation observing Fire Prevention Safety Week.
“ … The city of Roanoke Rapids is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting Roanoke Rapids,” the document read by Mayor Emery Doughtie said. “ … Fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire.”
The proclamation said the majority of fire deaths in the country — four out of five — occur at home each year. “ … When the smoke alarm sounds, Roanoke Rapids residents may have less than two minutes to escape to safety. Roanoke Rapids residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire.”
The document stresses residents should make everyone in the household know how to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from a cell phone or neighbor’s phone. “Roanoke Rapids residents should practice using different ways out … and … should get out and stay out — never going back inside the home for people, pets or things.”
The document says Roanoke Rapids residents “are responsive to public education measures and are able to take action to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes.”
The theme of the national Fire Prevention Safety Week this year is Not Every Hero Wears a Cape — Plan and Practice Your Escape, and “effectively serves to remind us that we need to take personal steps to increase our safety from fire.”
The mayor proclaimed October 6 through 12 as Fire Prevention Week throughout the city. “ … I urge all the people of Roanoke Rapids to be aware of their surroundings, look for available ways out in the event of a fire or other emergency, respond when the smoke alarm sounds by exiting the building immediately and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week 2019.”
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Chief Jason Patrick said the fire department began its Fire Prevention Week programs today with a group of children from First Presybeterian Church.
Thursday at 9 a.m., 3-year-olds from Rosemary Methodist will be at Fire Station 1 on the avenue for a program which includes a puppet show, a tour of the station and vehicles as well as seeing a firefighter in full gear. Four- and 5-year-olds from the church will be at the station at noon.
From October 8-10, the fire department will have its fire safety house at Belmont Elementary. The fire safety house will be at Manning Elementary from October 15-17.
On October 12 the fire department and the safety house will be at Lowe’s Home Improvement from 9 a.m. to noon.
On October 26, the fire department will be at the annual Touch-A-Truck event at Roanoke Rapids Theatre. The event, which is sponsored by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and county firefighter’s association, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone interested in putting their vehicles on display at the event are encouraged to call Patrick at 252-533-2880 or Chief Deputy Scott Hall at 252-583-8201.
On October 30 firefighters will be at Gingerbread House Preschool for a puppet show, fire prevention education and a firefighter in turnout gear. That program is at 10 a.m.
