The Arizona Republic Phoenix Community edition features a monthly column written by Fire Chief Bob Khan

City of Phoenix Public Information Office - News Clippings - azcentral.com - October 13, 2007

Fire Prevention Month: A reminder to be safe

October is here and that means it’s Fire Prevention Month.  This is a time when fire departments around the country promote the latest and greatest information regarding fire safety.  Terrific improvements have been made in the area of home fire safety:  improved building and fire codes, better technology in fire protection systems and increased public awareness.  Even with these improvements, over 75% of the fire deaths in the U.S. occur in the home… and Phoenix is no different.  We have seen an alarming increase in our fire death rate and as usual, these deaths could have been prevented.

The National Fire Protection Association’s national message is planning and practicing a home escape plan with household members.  Twice a year - every six months - take the time to sit down with your family, review the plan and practice it.  Numerous studies have shown that people who actually practiced their home escape plan had a much greater chance of escaping the fire and preventing a tragedy.  This seems to be a no-brainer – make sure everyone knows two ways out of every room, have a designated meeting place outside the home, and call 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s house.  And NEVER go back into a burning structure!  It’s that easy.

Improved technology for smoke alarms is now available to the public at an affordable cost.  Dual sensing alarms, that is, smoke alarms that detect both fast moving and slow burning fires are available at several home improvement centers.  Better yet, some of these alarms are able to use a 10-year lithium battery.  By using these types of alarms, two major problems that relate to fire fatalities are addressed.  The technology has been around for a long time and is considered to be reliable, according to the National Institutes of Standards and Technology.  Make sure to check the instructions on the package to determine whether the smoke alarm can accept the larger, lithium battery. 

Christa Severns, wife of Mayor Phil Gordon, has enlisted several City departments to participate in an aggressive smoke alarm program.  On October 20, the City will conduct its fifth event in two years, targeting neighborhoods most at risk for fires.

“Over the last couple of years we've seen a number of fire tragedies.   The simplest thing to improve your family’s safety is to insure that you check your smoke alarms or add smoke alarms to your homes,” says Severns.  “The rule of thumb is to put a smoke alarm wherever you have a loved one breathing.   Your nose goes to sleep when you do, so put a smoke alarm in every room where your loved ones sleep, including your dogs or cats.  It will help insure their safety.”

Another good soul in the fire prevention community is Mike Merucci, Executive Director of the Foundation for Burns & Trauma – a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to assisting burn victims and their families in becoming burn survivors through rehabilitation, treatment, and research.  One of their main goals is prevention education.  “As a community based organization, we are in a unique position to assist valley fire departments with the installation of smoke detectors in at-risk homes,” says Merucci.  “We know that sometimes an additional 30 seconds of warning can save a life, and that's the message that we send to our volunteers who are working in their communities to spread awareness.”

Public awareness, along with building codes and fire codes, have all improved the life safety outcomes for residential fires.  However, one aspect of construction continues to plague firefighters.  The use of engineered wooden trusses is common in modern construction.  Currently, the Phoenix Fire Department is participating in a study with Underwriters Laboratories along with the University of Maryland, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Chicago Fire Department to increase firefighter knowledge of the issues.  “Engineered wooden trusses are used in most residential construction.  It’s a fact of life and firefighters need to be aware of the way that they behave under fire conditions,” says Kevin Roche, Phoenix Fire Department fire protection engineer and Assistant to the Chief.  “If there is a way to minimize the danger for our firefighters, then it is our obligation to do so.  Reducing the number of firefighter fatalities and injuries is one of the U.S. Fire Administration’s key goals.  Underwriter’s Laboratories Inc. believes these research projects respond to this goal.”

As an industry we must continue our work to improve homes for fire safety, not only for residents but for firefighters as well.  Take the time to discuss and prepare for fire safety in your home with your family.  It will be worth it.  Be safe.

For more information on smoke alarm technology, go to www.NIST.gov 

Send comments to Bob Khan at firechief.pfd@phoenix.gov or call (602) 26-CHIEF.