Increase your safety in case of fire

Each year, approximately 4,000 Americans die and another 20,000 are injured in fires. More than 80 percent of deaths and nearly 90 percent of the injuries occur in structure fires. Many of those victims may be alive today or may not have been injured if they had the information they needed to avoid a disaster.

What can you do to increase your family’s safety?

• Have working smoke alarms in your home, which are installed on every floor and in every bedroom. Contact your local fire station if you need a smoke alarm or need assistance with installing your smoke alarms.

• Have a fire evacuation plan for your home, and practice it with your household members. You can also contact your local fire station and request a home safety inspection.

• Call 911 for fire and medical emergencies.

• If you experience a fire, get out of your home and stay out. Have someone meet the arriving firefighters and tell them if everyone is out of the home.

• Request a fire and rescue representative to attend your next organizational meeting to discuss fire and rescue related safety information.

In 2007, there were 115 firefighters killed, nationwide, in the line of duty. Tragically, that number included one of Prince William County’s own. On April 16, 2007, the Department of Fire and Rescue lost a dedicated and courageous firefighter, and the community lost a public servant and a firefighter who sacrificed his life in an attempt to save our citizens during fire and rescue operations at a house fire.

Eight months following this tragic event, a dedicated team of personnel meticulously reviewed every aspect of this incident resulting in a comprehensive Line of Duty Death Investigative Report released on Jan. 26 and currently is available on the County’s Web site at www.pwcgov.org/fire.

Chief McGee would like to request your help in keeping you, your loved ones, firefighters and emergency medical personnel safe by knowing what to do in the event of a fire. In collaboration with the Fire and Rescue Association, Chief McGee has comprised a fact sheet which provides additional details to support community and firefighter safety initiatives as mentioned above. Please feel free to share this information with others. To request a fact sheet and/or presentation, please contact the Prince William County Fire Department by calling 703-792-6800 or e-mail LODDreport@pwc gov.org.

This column is provided by the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue’s Community Relations Team. Send questions or comments to DFR Responding to You, 9250 Lee Ave., Manassas VA 20110 or via e-mail to dfrrespondingtoyou@pwcgov.org.