Dorm fire in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, 2008.

Dorm fire in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, 2008.
March 2013
Prevention 52 fire helmet
Take Action

1) This weekend, "spring ahead" into safety by changing the batteries in your home smoke detectors.

 

NPS Fire Facts

Data collected through fire and life safety building inspections, show that over 12% of NPS buildings where people sleep have no smoke detection. Read this recent memo from the Deputy Director addressing this issue and the required immediate corrective actions. 

 


Resources
The Structural Fire Program has developed many resources to help you provide an effective fire prevention program in your park.

 

Visit our website at:
  

Regional Structural Fire Staff:
 
Alaska - Alan Wetzel
Intermountain - Todd Neitzel
Midwest - Kip Schwabe
National Capital - Don Boucher
National Capital Fire Prevention Specialist - Raul Castillo
Northeast - Joe Mazzeo
Northeast Fire Prevention Specialist - Donna Baumgaertner
Pacific West - Curtis Troutt
Southeast - Jim King

For more fire prevention resources go to:
  

Submit ideas and feedback:
 
Spring Ahead! Changing Your Clock Means Changing Your Battery 
Author: Kathy Komatz, National Structural Fire Training Specialist
 

In 2008, one of our NPS units experienced a fire in an employee dormitory. Upon arrival, the fire department cut off the power to the building to protect the responding firefighters, but the building's alarm system did not have a working battery backup, rendering the individual smoke detectors useless. As a result, one concessions employee did not wake up and exit the building. Thankfully however, the quick work of a NPS structural firefighter safely saved this person's life.

 
According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommendations, we should be changing our smoke alarm batteries every six months. Thanks to the Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery campaign everyone can be on track to always having a working smoke detector. So to prepare for this weekend make sure you have enough batteries available for all of your smoke detectors and remember: When you change your clock, change your batteries.
 

 

Just for You 
  
Employeess

Did you know?  According to the NFPA, having a working smoke detector in your house will cut the risk of dying in a fire in half. Learn more... 

 

Park Leadership

Housing managers: Consider reminding your residents to change their smoke detector batteries. Consider implementing a battery exchange this week and the week of November 4, when daylight-saving time  ends. This will ensure your residents have fresh batteries and allow you to control the recycling of the batteries.

Commercial service managers: Take time this week to notify your concessions contractors about their responsibilities to ensure their fire and life safety systems are in working order in all of their buildings.

 

 

Prevention 52 begins with you!

Prevention 52 intends to educate and empower all NPS employees to help prevent structural fires.

Prevention 52 provides you with relevant fire prevention messages every week of the year - 52 to be exact.

You have the opportunity every week to make a difference. Don't let historic ashes become your legacy.
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

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