SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Fire Prevention Week each year typically has been an opportunity for fire departments to help spread awareness about fire safety in their surrounding communities. Although COVID-19 has stopped that awareness from being raised in person this year, an even greater opportunity to spread fire safety awareness to the public has arisen.
The National Fire Protection Association, which has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 95 years, announced that the week of Oct. 4 -10 would focus on raising awareness for cooking fire safety.
This year’s theme was chosen in response to a majority of people remaining isolated at home amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Home cooking fires represent the leading cause of U.S. home fires, with nearly half of all home fires involving cooking equipment, according to State Fire Administrator Francis “Skip” Nerney.
“It’s certainly an important section to focus on,” Nerney said. “Each year we choose a different section, but this one is really important this year because we’re seeing a lot of kitchen fires this year.”
He said online resources have been made available by organizations such as the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the National Fire Protection Association.
“People can view the pamphlets, and also the NFPA has opportunities on their website to view the message as well,” Nerney said.
The OFPC has partied with the American Red Cross to offer a training video to the public on their website that teaches people essential household safety tips as an in-person session would said Colin Brennan, who is the Director of Communications at the New York State Division of Homeland Security.
“It’s a 25-minute video,” Brennan said. “At the end you get your certification as if you attended an in-person class. We just got that up on our website last week.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a proclamation making Oct. 8, 2020 Firefighter Appreciation Day, which has been an annual reminder for fire safety awareness for years. Nerney said that he appreciates Gov. Cuomo highlighting firefighters.
“We also take this week to remember those we have lost in their efforts on the line of duty, and to appreciate those firefighters who step up each and every day to go do something that not everyone can do,” Nerney said.
The best way to honor these firefighters is to learn from the past and try not to make the same mistakes again, said Nerney.
Fire Prevention Week continues until Oct. 10.
