Local residents of the Battlefords didn't need much of a reminder this year about how important fire prevention activities are.
A major grassfire that threatened residential areas in Killdeer, as well as a house fire that caused extensive damage to a North Battleford home in the early hours Saturday, have highlighted how dangerous fires can be in the lead-up to 2011's Fire Prevention Week.
"That was a big eye opener for a lot of people in the community," said Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Steinborn of the grassfires. Smoke from the grassfire Sept. 28 blanketed the city.
"When people see that and they think of us, it's easier for us to get our message out to them.
This week the fire department has been getting its message out in a number of ways during Fire Prevention Week, highlighted by plenty of activities involving local firefighters spreading an educational message.
Much of the activity in North Battleford has centred on education activities by North Battleford Fire and Emergency Services, including the annual beef on a bun fundraiser at the fire hall. Proceeds go to the Saskatchewan Burn Fund to help the victims of fire.
Steinborn outlined some of the themes behind this year's Fire Prevention Week.
"The theme is protecting your family from fire, and that is something we try and do all year long," said Steinborn.
Activities the fire department has engaged week included a truck display and activities at Canadian Tire Saturday, Oct. 8. Friday, young nominees from area schools will participate in the Fire Chief for a Day event, where they will learn important fire safety messages during the morning at the fire hall before heading out to McDonald's for lunch.
Saturday at Frontier Mall a display table will be set up with firefighters there to answer questions. The fire department is also promoting the free home inspections they do all year long. Anyone requesting a home inspection in the city this month will have their name entered in a contest for fire-prevention prizes.
Among the tips the fire department is putting out there is the need for people to have a plan to exit their home in case of a fire and to have a set meeting spot where they can go once out of the building.
"We don't have minutes to get out, we only have seconds," said Steinborn.
Now is also the time to check smoke alarms and detectors, because Steinborn says people lose their sense of smell when they go to sleep.
"Smoke detectors are your nose when you go to sleep."
He urges testing the smoke alarms once a month and replacing batteries once a year.
He also urges people to not be careless outdoors, especially with the dry conditions that could still spark a fire at this time of year.
The activities of the fire department were acknowledged at city council Tuesday, where Fire Chief Pat MacIsaac. A resolution proclaiming Fire Prevention Week passed unanimously.
On a related note, Councillor Trent Houk voiced his own appreciation to the fire department for responding both to the major grassfire and for responding to the house fire on 102nd Street over the weekend.
"Thank you to the North Battleford Fire Department, the Town of Battleford, the RMs, farmers - whoever was out there helping the citizens. Kudos and hats off. It prevented a huge disaster from happening," Houk said of the grassfire. "It's a good thing that no homes were lost and no one was injured."
He also gave credit to the fire department for responding to the house fire quickly and making sure everyone exited safely.
