20th FW CC signs Fire Prevention Week proclamation

By Senior Airman Ashley Maldonado, 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published September 18, 2018

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U.S. Air Force Col. Derek O’Malley, 20th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, signs the 20th FW Commander Proclamation, at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 17, 2018. Fire Prevention Week is a way to help the populace become more aware of how to avoid a household fire, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department Airmen are sponsoring Fire Prevention Week Oct. 7 – 13. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Maldonado)

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Cornelius Berry, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector, right, explains to U.S. Air Force Col. Derek O’Malley, 20th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, “The Great Escape” escape room that will be available during Fire Prevention Week at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 17, 2018. The Shaw fire department is hosting a series of events Oct. 7 – 13, including open houses as well as the escape room, in support of this year’s Fire Prevention campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Maldonado)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Derek O’Malley, 20th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, and Sparky, the fire prevention dog, help promote Fire Prevention Week, at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 17, 2018. Fire Prevention Week was initiated to help the populace become more aware of how to avoid a household fire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Maldonado)

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Waking up to smoke filling your lungs and finding fire climbing the walls of your home is a terrifying situation one hopes to never experience.

To help the populace become more aware of how to avoid a household fire, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department Airmen are sponsoring Fire Prevention Week Oct. 7 – 13.

In the spirit of the week, Col. Derek O’Malley, 20th Fighter Wing commander, signed the 20th FW Commander Proclamation, Sept. 17.

Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association show the death rate per 1,000 home fires reported to fire departments was 10 percent higher in 2016 than in 1980.

“These numbers show that while we’ve made significant progress in teaching people how to prevent fires from happening, there’s still much more work to do in terms of educating the public about how to protect themselves in the event of one,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA Outreach and Advocacy vice president. “This is particularly critical given the increased speed at which today’s home fires grow and spread.”

The Shaw fire department is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn.” These events include an escape room and fire station open houses.

“The Great Escape” escape room will be held Oct. 9 at building 1122 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and again on Oct. 10 at building 1947 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The first open house will be held Oct. 11 at Fire Station 3 on Sycamore Street in Shaw family housing from noon to 3 p.m. The next open house will be Oct. 12 at Fire Station 1 on Killian Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Refreshments, games and handouts will be provided.

“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Senior Airman Clinton Michael, 20th CES firefighter. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”

For more information about the Fire Prevention Week events, contact Cornelius Berry, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector, at (803) 895-4600.