DeLand, FL - Volusia County Fire Rescue, along with local fire departments and volunteer fire departments are taking part in this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, "Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!" Volusia County Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Noble Taylor said that October 8 is part of the reason that Fire Prevention Week takes place when it does. It commemorates the Chicago Fire and a forest fire that happened the same day in northeast Wisconsin that took the lives of an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 people. Both began on October 8, 1871.
The campaign is geared toward educating everyone about the small but important actions that people can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. Statistics show that, on average, seven people died in a home fire every day from 2012 through 2016. Taylor said escape planning and practice can help you make the most out of the little time you have to get out.
During Fire Prevention Week, Taylor says that firefighters will be making presentations at schools across the area all week, sharing information and bringing gifts for the children. This year's gifts include oven mitts, rulers and oven sticks to be used for taking food out of the oven.
Noble stressed the importance of smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors. He said, ideally, there is a smoke detector in every bedroom, in the hallway outside the bedrooms and in the kitchen area. Recently, the Florida Building Code requires smoke detectors with 10-year batteries. The battery can not be removed or replaced. He says they are a bit more expensive but are definitely worth it.
On Saturday, October 12, Noble said that there will be an open house at all Volusia County firehouses. He encourages residents to drop in and get to know the firefighters, and maybe get a tour of the firehouse and the fire engines. There will be goody bags containing item s for fire safety in the home.
The open house sites are:
Halifax Station 11
1580 Derbyshire Road, Holly Hill 32117
Spruce Creek Station 12
1979 Taylor Road, Daytona Beach 32124
Halifax Station 13
15 Southland Road, Ormond Beach 32174
North Peninsula Station 14
1716 Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach 32176
Fire Services Training Center Station 15
3889 Tiger Bay Road, Daytona Beach 32124
Daytona Beach International Airport Station 17
2316 Bellevue Ave., Daytona Beach 32114
Rima Ridge Station 18
500 Rodeo Road, Ormond Beach 32174
South Beach Station 21
4840 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach 32169
Oak Hill Station 22
213 N. U.S. Highway 1, Oak Hill 32759
Turnbull Station 23
1850 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Bch 32168
Spring Lakes Station 32
2850 Firehouse Road, DeLand 32720
Indian Mound Station 34
1700 Enterprise-Osteen Road, Osteen 32725
Lake Helen Station 35
630 W. Main St., Lake Helen 32744
Osteen Station 36
180 N. State Road 415, Osteen 32764
DeLeon Springs Station 41
5007 Central Ave., DeLeon Springs 32130
Kepler Ridge Station 42
1885 Kepler Road, DeLand 32724
Pierson Station 44
132 N. Fountain Drive, Pierson 32180
St. Johns Station 45
2580 W. State Road 44, DeLand 32720
Glenwood Station 46
920 Glenwood Road, DeLand 32720
