National Park Service Structural Fire Program kicks off Fire Prevention Week

Structural Fire Chief, Shane Crutcher and Division Chief for Fire and Aviation, Chad Fisher shake hands after signing the Fire Prevention Week Proclamation for 2022.

NPS/C. Stevenson

Chad Fisher, chief, National Park Service (NPS) Division of Fire and Aviation and Shane Crutcher, fire chief for the NPS, begin Fire Prevention Week by signing the Fire Prevention Proclamation Oct. 10, at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week and the NPS Structural Fire Program will promote the theme "Fire Won’t Wait. Plan your Escape™” from Oct. 9-15, 2022.

"Signing the proclamation is the official kickoff to Fire Prevention Week," said National Park Service Structural Fire Branch Chief Shane Crutcher. "The signing shows the National Park Service community that our leadership is attentive and focused on promoting fire safety and prevention."

NPS Division of Fire and Aviation staff gather to watch the signing of the Fire Prevention Week 2022 proclamation. L to R: Shawn Nagle, John Buehler, Mike Schell, Roberta Gorman, Shane Crutcher, Jennifer Flynn, Chad Fisher, Nic Strohmeyer, Kristin Swoboda, Bradley Beaty

NPS/C. Stevenson

Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has observed the Sunday through Saturday week that October 9th falls on to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. The fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres. Each year, Fire Prevention Week has provided focused public education on the importance of fire and life safety.

“Fire prevention is a year-round effort; highlighting this effort annually is an important reminder that success can save lives and property! Prevention is one of the ways to ensure we meet the NPS mission to preserve and protect the natural and cultural resources of our nation.” Chief Crutcher added. Actions of our employees and visitors can make this a success by taking proper precautions and safety measures such as ensuring buildings have working smoke alarms, knowing how to notify emergency responders, understanding how to use a portable fire extinguisher, knowing your evacuation plan, and making sure to never leave cooking unattended.”

National Park Service Division of Fire and Aviation

Fire Prevention Week 2022 Proclamation

WHEREAS, the National Park Service is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our national parks; and

WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and

WHEREAS, home fires caused 2,580 civilian deaths in the United States in 2020, according to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), and fire departments in the United States responded to 356,500 home fires; and

WHEREAS, smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger in the event of fire in which you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely; and

WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half; and

WHEREAS, National Park Service employees and visitors should be sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the smoke alarms and knows how to respond; and

WHEREAS, National Park Service employees and visitors who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and

WHEREAS, National Park Service employees and visitors will make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms meet the needs of all their family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities; and

WHEREAS, National Park Service Park Structural Fire Coordinators and Structural Firefighters are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and

WHEREAS, National Park Service employees and visitors that are responsive to public education measures are better able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes and lodging accommodations; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape" effectively serves to remind all National Park Service employees and visitors it is important to have a home fire escape plan.

THEREFORE, I Chad Fisher, Chief of the National Park Service Fire and Aviation Management Division and Shane Crutcher, Branch Chief, Structural Fire do hereby proclaim October 9-15, 2022 as Fire Prevention Week throughout the National Park Service, and I urge all the employees and visitors of the Park Service to plan and practice a home fire escape for Fire Prevention Week 2022 and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of the National Park Service's fire and emergency services.