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Fire Prevention Week – Remembering The Great Chicago Fire

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Fire Prevention Week - October 7-13 - is a time to reflect on the bravery of our local firefighters who risk, and sometimes sacrifice, their lives to save others. It is also a time to make sure you and your family have an emergency plan and know the steps to take if confronted by a fire or other emergency.

Before joining the FEMA team, I was the Director of the state of Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Executive Director for the city of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management. I have seen first-hand the devastating effects of fires. That is why FEMA Region V has joined with the city of Chicago Fire Commissioner, Jose Santiago, to provide some important information you need to know about fires.

Today, there are drought conditions in many parts of the United States. Chicago was also experiencing a similar situation during a very dry summer in 1871. The ground, wooden buildings and vegetation was extremely parched and left the city in a vulnerable state. On October 8, 1871, a fire broke out in the barn area of Patrick and Catherine O’Leary’s home on the west side of the Chicago River. The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, but regardless of the cause, the fire continued to blaze for two-days devastating our great city. Exhausted firefighters were assisted on October 10, when much needed rain helped to extinguish the fire.

While the story of the Great Chicago Fire is one of the major events in our city’s history, fires are devastating events to individuals, families and businesses. Today, most people have very busy lives, but sitting down with your family for 20 minutes to talk about your fire escape plan, like U.S. Fire Administrator Ernie Mitchell said last week, can have a dramatic impact on your family safely exiting your home during a fire. As you discuss fire safety with your family, remember the different needs you may have. For example, do you have pets? Are there people with disabilities in your home or business? What is the best route for evacuation? Fires can rage out of control and become deadly in seconds. So planning now can save lives. And remember to practice your plan at least twice a year.

Take a moment to visit www.usfa.fema.gov to learn more about how you can prevent fires and keep your family safe.

How to get involved with this year’s Fire Prevention Week

Author:

Ernie Mitchell

I have a challenge for you. Wherever you’re reading this blog post, look around the room you’re in. Do you know two ways that you could safely exit the room in the event of a fire?

Sunday marks the beginning of Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 7-13), and the fire service, teachers, and others in your communities across the U.S. will be sharing fire safety tips, with a focus on the importance of knowing how to safely evacuate your home, school, or office during a fire. We’ll be using the slogan “Have Two Ways Out”, which is a key ingredient in knowing the fire escape plan for wherever you are.

Since I started in the fire service over 40 years ago, I’ve talked with hundreds of people that have been affected by fires in some way. Before I get into how you can get involved with this year’s Fire Prevention Week, I wanted to share two quick points that I’ve learned through these conversations, specifically related to this year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week.

First, practicing your fire escape plan can save the life of someone you love. A fire can take your possessions, but it doesn’t have to take your life, or the life of a loved one. Twenty minutes – that’s how long it took my family to have our fire drill at home. I make fire safety a priority in my home because I’ve seen the tragic results of families and individuals not being able to safely get out of their homes when there was a fire. In addition, I have heard many stories from people who said they were able to escape during a fire because they had practiced and understood the fire escape plan.

Secondly, making fire safety a “family affair” leads to results. Over the years many parents told me that their children had learned about fire drills either from visits to the fire department or from fire fighters coming to their school. As a result, kids were excited about having a family fire drill and practicing getting out of your home safely. Children can be great agents of change within their households – especially when they’re inspired by a role model like a local firefighter. So I encourage you to make practicing your fire escape plan a fun activity for your family, and there are a few ways that the U.S. Fire Administration can help with that:

This video, which outlines the key reminders for home fire safety:

PDF guides for creating a home safety checklist or fire escape plan
Easy-to-understand fire safety tips on the USFA website

Now, how can you get involved in Fire Prevention Week? Simple. I’m asking everyone to do two simple things this week:

Practice your fire escape plan at home, school, or the office. Walk through each room and identify two ways out, being mindful that the smoke alarms work in each room as well. And make sure you decide on a safe meeting spot outside in the event of a fire. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the resources listed above – they can help you get the ball rolling.
Say “Thank You” to your local fire department. The men and women in the fire service risk their lives, sometimes on a daily basis, to protect lives and property. I know from experience that getting a “thank you” card or visit from someone in the community can energize and stick with the department for a long time.

I hope that you will take my fire drill challenge. It takes just a little bit of time to make such a huge difference in the safety of your loved ones. Remember, “Have Two Ways Out!"

Useful Links
- For more information about fire preparedness, visit Ready.gov/fires.
- For more about the U.S. Fire Administration, visit usfa.fema.gov.

fire prevention week banner

Lessons from Colorado on Preparing for Wildfires

Author:

Rich Serino

Colorado Springs, Colo., July 23, 2012 -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino visits a home in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood in Colorado Springs, Colo. where fire mitigation efforts by the homeowner protected the house from wildfire damage.

While I was in Colorado Springs for the Building Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships conference last week, I also had the honor of meeting with some of the impressive first responders from the state and local level who fought the Waldo Canyon Fire.

The firefighters faced an intense challenge. Sixty-five mile-per-hour winds fanned the flames and pushed the fire up and down mountainsides surrounding the town. More than 32,000 residents were forced to evacuate and the fire consumed more than 18,000 acres.

FEMA worked as part of a team of federal, state and local agencies, supporting the firefighting effort. We first provided Fire Management Assistance Grants so first responders could save lives and property knowing that we had their backs with financial support. On June 28, President Obama declared a major disaster in Colorado resulting from both the Waldo Canyon and High Park Fires, and committed additional federal support.

Colorado Springs, Colo., July 23, 2012 -- In the Mountain Shadows neighborhood in Colorado Springs, Colo., only the arch remains of home that was destroyed during the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire.

The Waldo Canyon Fire was the most destructive in the state’s history – 346 homes were lost. But it could have been a lot worse. Without a doubt, mitigation saved many of the homes in the area. In Cedar Heights, mitigation efforts, supported by FEMA grants, brought the wildfire to a halt before it could threaten the neighborhood.

Colorado Springs, Colo., July 23, 2012 -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino visits a mitigation project in the Cedar Heights neighborhood in Colorado Springs, Colo. The project protected homes from the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire.

Similarly, individual homeowners took mitigation into their own hands. I visited one home in an extremely vulnerable location – perched on a hill near a burn area. Thanks to simple mitigation techniques, like creating 10 feet of defensible space around a home and removing all items from above and below a deck, this home was spared.

Wildfires spread quickly. If you live in an area threatened by wildfire, make sure that you’ve taken appropriate measures to protect your property. For an overview of how to prepare for wildfires, visit www.ready.gov/wildfires.

Now that these fires have been contained, the next big threat is flash flooding. Due to intense heat of the fires, much of the soil in burn areas is unable to absorb rainwater, increasing the risk of flash flooding, particularly in low lying areas in canyons. Manitou Springs, near Colorado Springs, is a historic and picturesque town sitting along Fountain Creek. The town is all too familiar with the threat of flash flooding, after a flood swept through the town back in 1999.

Colorado Springs, Colo., July 23, 2012 -- Image of Manitou Springs, Colorado.

The good news is that due to recent changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), residents impacted by these fires could have an exception to the usual 30-day waiting period for NFIP to take effect. That means the chance to protect your property in the event of a disastrous flash flood.

If you live in an area with an increased risk of flooding as a result of these fires, contact your insurance agent to find out if you’re eligible for flood insurance. To learn more about NFIP or to find an insurance agent familiar with flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day

Author:

Ernest Mitchell

It’s hard to imagine the Fourth of July festivities without a great fireworks display. But celebrations can become tragic when someone is injured or property is damaged by fire. FEMA and the US Fire Administration remind you to prepare for a safe and memorable Independence Day by leaving the fireworks to the professionals. Even those fireworks that are sold legally can cause injuries. Also with many areas of the country under severe drought conditions, the chances of accidentally causing a fire are greatly increased, so they should be avoided in those areas.

Did you know that fireworks alone accounted for some 8,600 serious burns and injuries in 2010? And nearly 3,500 of those injuries happened to children under the age of 15. Don’t let your celebration this July Fourth end with a visit to the emergency room. If you are going to use legal and locally approved fireworks, here are some recommended safety steps:

Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Parents may not realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees-hot enough to melt some metals.
Always have an adult closely supervise fireworks activities if older children are allowed to handle devices.
Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

For those seeking more information regarding fireworks in their area, check with local fire officials and visit the following recommended websites:

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
U.S. Fire Administration: Fireworks safety or on our homepage
National Fire Protection Association

Voluntary Organizations Key to Colorado Wildfire Fight

Author:

Dan Stoeker

First responders, volunteers, and community and voluntary organizations – these are usually the first people on the ground to help following a disaster. These key members of the emergency management team are vital in helping communities and individuals prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and are invaluable links between the communities they regularly serve and tribal, local, state, and federal government.

The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) is a coalition of 53 national nonprofit organizations and 55 State/Territory members, representing hundreds of additional organizations, that share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle – preparation, response and recovery – to help disaster survivors and their communities. Voluntary organizations, including many faith based organizations, are actively supporting the states and local governments engaged in wildfire response efforts. As wildfire response efforts continue throughout Colorado, the members of the Colorado VOAD (COVOAD) provide aid and relief services to disaster survivors, volunteers, and the thousands of firefighters working to control the growing fires across the state.

Organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, United Way and Adventist Community Services have been working tirelessly since the beginning of response efforts to set up donation centers, provide meals and shelters to displaced residents and provide needed supplies. Several other organizations have been in contact with the COVOAD office to offer assistance including Mennonite Disaster Service, Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board, and other local partner organizations.

With thousands of firefighters and first responders continuing to come together to bravely fight the blazes on the frontline, there are many others looking for ways to help. As the fires continue to spread and new fires emerge, we encourage individuals interested in helping to consider a monetary donation to the organization of their choice.

Financial support to voluntary agencies responding to disasters is the most effective way to help disaster survivors and response efforts in Colorado. Providing monetary donations allows disaster agencies to purchase exactly what is needed.

For more information on what you can do to help, please visit www.nvoad.org.

For agencies actively engaged in Colorado, visit www.helpcoloradonow.org, or contact Colorado 2-1-1.

What We're Watching, 6/15/12

Author:

Lars Anderson

Editor's Note: This blog was updated at 3:40 p.m.

At the end of each week, we post a "What We’re Watching" blog as we look ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We encourage you to share it with your friends and family, and have a safe weekend.

High Wildfire Activity Continues
Last week, we mentioned the threat of potential wildfires – unfortunately, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming are all experiencing fire outbreaks that are ongoing. We continue to closely monitor the wildfire activity from our regional offices in Denver and Denton, Texas, while thousands of first responders and firefighters from local, state, federal and tribal agencies are fighting the fire on the ground to protect lives and property. Federal agencies have made approximately 5,000 firefighters available to suppress fires so far.

For the High Park Fire (Colorado) and Little Bear Fire (New Mexico), one way FEMA is supporting the firefighting efforts is through Fire Management Assistance Grants. These grants make FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs, but do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners.

Earlier this week, we also sent an Incident Management Assistance Team to the Colorado Emergency Operations Center to work side by side with state officials to monitor and support the High Park Fire fight. For more information on the federal government's role during wildfires, visit the National Interagency Fire Center website, or view their latest situation report (PDF).

If you live in an area that is currently being affected by wildfires, or an area that is susceptible to wildfire outbreaks, here are a few tips to remember:

Follow the direction of local officials – I cannot stress this enough. Local officials are most familiar with the conditions on the ground, and any evacuation orders originate from local officials (evacuation orders do not come from FEMA). If you are told to evacuate, leave immediately.
Be familiar with evacuation routes – Local officials will announce if an evacuation is required, and they will also have information on the safest way to leave the area. So become familiar with possible evacuation routes ahead of time, that way you will be familiar with them during an emergency.
Stay informed of the latest developments – Stay up to date by following local news reports or updates from local officials. For example, Larimer County, Colorado have been updating this website and their @LarimerSheriff Twitter account to keep residents updated about the High Park Fire. Also, keeping your NOAA Weather Radio close by is useful for getting the latest severe weather developments.

You can find more wildfire safety tips at Ready.gov/wildfires, or on our mobile site at m.fema.gov/wildfires.htm. Have a safe weekend, and we will provide further updates about FEMA's role regarding the increased wildfire activity on this blog as needed.

Father's Day Gift Ideas
For all you last minute shoppers still looking for the perfect gift to give dad for Father’s Day, why not also give a gift of preparedness and get dad something that may be useful during an emergency like a flashlight with extra batteries, a NOAA weather radio or a cell phone charger for his car? In addition to a traditional gift like ties, socks or golf balls, help get your dad prepared no matter where he is -something small and creative like a keychain flashlight can be just the motivation needed to help your loved ones get prepared – if they aren’t already.

Visit www.ready.gov for more creative gift ideas.

Have a safe weekend and Happy Father’s Day!

Toads Wield More Power Than You May Think

Author:

Kevin Hannes

Sometimes large-scale events and unforeseen circumstances can slow down recovery efforts, and sometimes all it takes is something small – like a toad. In case you don’t regularly read the Austin American Statesman, you may have missed an interesting story that shows the complex nature of disaster recovery. Those involved with disaster recovery need to think about a wide variety of factors that come into play, including the cleanup efforts’ effects on animals.

To set the stage, a historic wildfire season hit Texas in 2011, and we continue to work in support of state and local officials in providing assistance to affected individuals and local governments. This assistance to local governments includes supporting removing debris in some of the damaged areas.

A small, rare object that could soon be spotted hopping nearby, however, has the potential to delay FEMA-funded recovery projects in certain areas. This object is the endangered Houston toad, which surfaces during mating season. Emergency managers have a responsibility to carry out our jobs in a manner that avoids or minimizes adverse impacts to the environment, especially potential impacts on endangered species.

Because of this, our recovery experts met recently with officials from the state and Bastrop County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife, a local electric cooperative, and environmental experts to make sure recovery will not violate federal environmental policies and laws and will minimize adverse effects on the toads.

The meeting was productive in that the key stakeholders on this issue came to a consensus on how best to proceed. For now, debris removal is going strong as we increase our capability to monitor the toads. Meanwhile, we continue to work with stakeholders to proceed with recovery efforts while protecting the natural environment.

In the end, the Houston toad serves as a symbol that successful disaster recovery requires a team of individuals and organizations working together to solve problems both big and small -- sometimes as small as a toad.

Click here for more information on FEMA’s Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation Program.

In Photos: Honoring Fallen Firefighters

Author:

Public Affairs

Po
Emmitsburg, MD, October 16, 2011 -- The names of firefighters who lost their lives in 2010 are unveiled at the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial. Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator, and Glenn Gaines, Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration, were in attendance to honor those who lost their lives serving their communities, and support the families they leave behind. (Photo courtesy of Fallen Firefighters Foundation)

Yesterday, the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation hosted a memorial service remembering firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Administrator Fugate and Glenn Gaines, Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator, were among those in attendance, honoring those who have died in the line of duty to serve their communities, and supporting the families they leave behind.

Administrator Fugate delivered a message from the president as part of Fire Prevention Week – here’s part of that message:

Fires, whether caused by people or nature, can have devastating effects. Hundreds of thousands of fires happen in and around American homes every year, killing or injuring thousands of people and causing untold damage to families and communities. This week, we honor the selfless first responders who put themselves on the line to safeguard us all from fire, and we reaffirm the need for Americans to practice fire safety throughout the year…

This week, our Nation honors the dedicated firefighters and other first responders who do the hard, dangerous work of keeping our communities safe from fire. Many have laid down their lives to save our friends and neighbors, and their selfless sacrifice defines the nature of courage. As we pay tribute to their memories, let us resolve to maintain our vigilance and take proactive steps to stop fire emergencies before they begin.

As we often say at FEMA, emergency management is a team effort, and we wholeheartedly commend the daily sacrifices of first responders working to meet the immediate needs of those affected by a disaster – whether it’s a hurricane, earthquake or home fire.

Here are more images from the memorial service, held at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md.

Emmitsburg, MD, October 16, 2011 -- Glenn Gaines, Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration, stands with Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator, as they honor firefighters who lost their lives at the National Fallen Firefighter memorial service. (Photo courtesy of Fallen Firefighters Foundation)

Emmitsburg, MD, October 16, 2011 -- As part of the Fallen Firefighters memorial service, firefighters and family members honor those who have lost their lives serving their communities. (Photo courtesy of Fallen Firefighters Foundation)

Emmitsburg, MD, October 15, 2011 -- Firefighters stand at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during the Fallen Firefighters memorial service. Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator, and Glenn Gaines, Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration, were in attendance to honor those who have lost their lives serving their communities and support the families they leave behind. (Photo courtesy of Fallen Firefighters Foundation)

Emmitsburg, MD, October 16, 2011 -- A firefighter displays a flag as part of the National Fallen Firefighters memorial service. Each year, firefighters and their families gather to honor those who have lost their lives serving their communities. (Photo courtesy of Fallen Firefighters Foundation)

Protecting your Family from Fire: Smoke Alarms and Home Escape Plans

Author:

Glenn Gaines

Throughout Fire Prevention Week, I’ve reflected on the changes in how we prepare for and prevent fires, as well as the importance of properly using a fire extinguisher. To wrap up the week, I wanted to remind you that protecting your family and home from fire all begins with prevention.

Have working smoke alarms in your home

Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are one of the best and least expensive means of providing an early warning of a potentially deadly fire and could reduce the risk of dying from a fire in your home by almost half.

A smoke alarm stands guard around the clock and when it first senses smoke, sounds a shrill alarm. This often allows a family the precious but limited time it takes to escape.

Here are some key reminders for placing and maintaining the smoke alarms in your residence:

Replace smoke alarms no later than ten years after their installation.

The U.S. Fire Administration also recommends that you have smoke alarms inside and outside of bedrooms, on every level in your home, and interconnected so that when one smoke alarm sounds they will all sound.

Test your smoke alarms every month.

Review and practice your fire escape plan regularly

When making a fire escape plan, it’s important to:

Discuss the plan with everyone in your household, especially family members who cannot escape unassisted.

Plan two ways out of every room.

Designate an outside meeting place, away from your home, but where the firefighters can see that you are out and safe.

Practice your escape plan every month at least twice a year with everyone in your home. Practice at night and during the daytime.

In case a fire does occur, remember to:

Leave your home.

Call the fire department from outside using a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone.

Get out and stay out! Never return to a burning building!

Following these two steps – maintaining smoke alarms around your home and reviewing/practicing your fire escape plan – will go a long way in preventing the loss of life and property from fire.

I encourage you to share this information with family, loved ones and friends and emphasize the importance of fire prevention – it could save your life, or that of someone you love.

For more information on smoke alarms and fire escape planning, and help in identifying potential fire hazards in your home, visit the Ready.gov/fires. To learn more about resources for sharing fire safety, and for free publications, visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s website.

Protecting Your Family from Fire: Fire Extinguishers

Author:

Glenn Gaines

Fire Prevention Week graphic.
At the U.S. Fire Administration, we receive numerous questions throughout the year (and especially during Fire Prevention Week) related to home fire safety, but none more so than questions related to fire extinguishers.

The use of a fire extinguisher in the hands of a trained adult can be a life and property saving tool. However, a majority of adults have not had fire extinguisher training and may not know how and when to use them. Several years ago when I was still on the job as Chief with the Fairfax County Fire/Rescue department, I recall an incident to which my fire company was dispatched. It was an early morning apartment fire where the occupants of a first floor unit attempted to extinguish a kitchen fire using a fire extinguisher without ever calling the fire department. Ultimately, the fire entered the partitions, spread to the upper floors, and tragically killed one occupant on the third floor.

Fire extinguisher use requires a sound decision making process and training on their proper use and maintenance, both were absent in this incident. When should you or your family members use a fire extinguisher to control a home fire? I would like you to consider the following three questions before purchasing or using a fire extinguisher:

What type of fire extinguisher is needed?

Is the fire at a point where it might still be controlled by a fire extinguisher?
- - Other occupants have left the building (your number one priority!) and someone has called the fire department;
  - The fire is small and contained to a single object, such as a wastebasket;
  - You are safe from the toxic smoke produced by the fire;
  - You have a means of escape identified and the fire is not between you and the escape route; and
  - Your instincts tell you that it is safe to use an extinguisher. If not all of these conditions are present, you should NOT try to use a fire extinguisher. Alert other occupants, leave the building following your home fire escape plan, go to the agreed upon meeting place, and call 9-1-1 or your fire department’s emergency number from a cell phone or a neighbor's home.
Am I physically capable of using the extinguisher?

Sound Decision Making. Training. Maintenance. All are required to safely control a fire with an extinguisher. For this reason, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends that only those trained in the proper use and maintenance of fire extinguishers consider using them when appropriate. Contact your local fire department for information on fire extinguisher training in your area.

For more information on protecting your family from fire, visit Ready.gov/fires – and check out usfa.fema.gov for resources you can share about fire safety.

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Blog Articles By Category

Fire Prevention Week – Remembering The Great Chicago Fire

How to get involved with this year’s Fire Prevention Week

Lessons from Colorado on Preparing for Wildfires

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day

Voluntary Organizations Key to Colorado Wildfire Fight

What We're Watching, 6/15/12

Toads Wield More Power Than You May Think

In Photos: Honoring Fallen Firefighters

Protecting your Family from Fire: Smoke Alarms and Home Escape Plans

Protecting Your Family from Fire: Fire Extinguishers

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