Fire Prevention Week and Month

Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission have proclaimed this week as Fire Prevention Week, but, as it does every year, the Key West Fire Department sets aside the entire month of October for fire prevention awareness.

The National Fire Protection Association has set this year’s theme as “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” reminding communities the importance of learning the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

“We will be active in schools and throughout the community with this message,” said Fire Prevention Capt. Jason Barroso.

He noted that smoke and CO2 detectors are available for those in needs at the main fire station on North Roosevelt Blvd.

“We want to thank Diane Schmidt of Opal and Andy Strunk of Strunk Ace Hardware for generously donating these detectors,” said Barroso.

Strunk and Schmidt have made these annual donations for many years.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments in the United States responded to 339,500 home fires last year.