Capital Region Firefighter Companies Plan Their Escapes

Harrisburg, Pa. – Volunteers across the East and West Shores of the Capital Region are trained and ready to respond to fires as fast as they can. But when a fire breaks out, the people inside may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds — and it’s crucial for everyone inside to know what to do and where to go.

That is why the 21 Capital Region Firefighter companies are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape,” from Oct. 9-15. Many Capital Region Firefighter companies will be highly active throughout Fire Prevention Week and the month of October! You’ll find the departments active at local schools, churches, area shopping centers and even Trunk or Treat events as Halloween nears!

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, this year’s theme works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

According to an NFPA survey, only one of every three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening — and only eight percent said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out.

But the time available is often less, which is why citizens throughout the Capital Region should embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme.

Capital Region Firefighter wants to share these key home fire escape planning tips:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Batteries in smoke and CO detectors should be changed twice a year, and detectors should be replaced every seven years.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

Home fires can start with just a tiny spark, and the community counts on the volunteers throughout the Capital Region to keep them safe. All 21 fire companies are currently seeking new volunteer firefighters and many are searching for fire police, EMTs, junior firefighters and administrative members.

About Capital Region Firefighter

Capital Region Firefighter is a volunteer recruitment campaign that launched last spring through a $2.2 million, four-year grant from FEMA awarded to the Capital Region Council of Governments (CapCOG). To learn more and volunteer with your local fire company, visit www.CapitalRegionFirefighter.org.