MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Forty-seven MacDill firefighters with the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services hosted their annual Fire Prevention Week with the theme, “Every Second Counts: Plans 2 Ways Out” at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. between Oct. 8 and 14.
The purpose of this Fire Prevention Week is to better educate the public about the critical importance of developing a home escape plan and practicing it.
“In most cases, having a home escape plan can be the difference between life and death in a fire situation,” said Master Sgt. Eriberto Ortega, the assistant chief for fire prevention assigned to the 6th CES. “Fire Prevention Week is centered on developing and reinforcing those life-saving messages.”
The first two days began with Sparky visiting the Dale Mabry Gate followed by the Crash Fire Station hosting Tinker K-8 School students. The students rotated through various stations ranging from learning how to extinguish a makeshift fire to touring the inside of a fire truck.
As the week continued on, the 6th Security Forces Squadron competed against the firefighters in the “Battle of the Badges” softball game. The following day, the firefighters simulated fire drills with Child Development Centers 1, 2, and 3, as well as the Youth Center.
To conclude the week, the firefighters hosted their 2nd Annual MacMuster firefighter challenge in which six teams participated.
“My favorite part of Fire Prevention Week is meeting the children and families from our community,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Wozar, a fire emergency services lead firefighter assigned to the 6th CES. “Hearing their excitement afterwards when they changed out their smoke detectors or made a plan is pretty neat.”