MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Fire Department would like to invite the public to join them as they celebrate Fire Prevention Week from October 4 to 10, 2009. This year’s nationwide theme, “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned!” focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of fires.

During Fire Prevention Week, fire safety advocates will spread the word to their communities that, with a little extra caution, preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating, electrical and smoking materials – is within their power.

Participation in Fire Prevention Week highlights the Department’s ongoing efforts to increase public awareness through fire safety education and fire prevention programs. They are celebrating Fire Prevention Week with open houses at all 20 of its fire stations through the County of Hawaii, during which the public can meet firefighters, tour stations, and receive information about fire safety and fire prevention.

This year’s activities will kick off with static displays and demonstrations for the public at the Lowes parking lot in Kona on Saturday, October 3, 2009, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Among the agencies invited to participate are State airport crash crew, Department of Land & Natural Resources–Forestry and Wildlife, Pohakuloa Training Area, and the Fire Department’s Prevention Bureau, engine companies, ocean safety, rescue teams, and volunteer firefighters.

The department also challenges businesses and organizations to enter a team in the ever-popular “bucket brigade” event, which is being sponsored by K-BIG, Da Beat, KAPA and ESPN radio. The event, which will begin at about 11:00 a.m., involves five‑person teams who have to pass buckets of water from person to person, and the team that successfully manages to transport the most water to the “fire” is declared the winner. Please call Aileen at 961-0651, extension 107, or via e-mail at aantoque@pacificradiogroup.com for more information or sign‑up. The event will be limited to 24 teams.

Every fire safety team begins with firefighters and other first responders. But the Fire Department can’t do it alone—they need to involve and educate the public of their role in effective fire safety. Please help them spread the message, “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned!”