October 6, 2010

1:53 PM

Video courtesy of NFPA's Fire Prevention Week Web site,

www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2010 NFPA."

Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) will kick off a three-week long campaign on October 9^th to hand out free smoke alarms to owners of single family homes in Portland.  As fire agencies statewide join together in support of the 2010 Fire Prevention Week theme: “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With”, PF&R wants to reinforce the message that fire safety starts in the home.

“Portland Fire & Rescue wants to make sure that every home in Portland has the appropriate number of working smoke alarms,” said Fire Marshal Erin Janssens.  “This is the single most important step that homeowners can take to significantly increase their chances of surviving a fire.”

From October 9^th - October 31^st, single-family home owners can visit any Portland Fire Station and receive needed free smoke alarms, to be self installed.  To find a list of fire station locations in Portland, visit http://www.portlandonline.com/fire/stations.

Fire Prevention Week is observed annually throughout the United States, marking the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.  This fire destroyed a four-mile long part of the city and killed 250 people on October 9, 1871. 

Portland Fire & Rescue will host an open house on Saturday, October 9^th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Historic Belmont Firehouse, located at 900 SE 35^th.  Not only will this event kick off the Smoke Alarm Giveaway, but it also marks the 139^th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.  In addition to giving away free smoke alarms, the Belmont Firehouse will feature exhibits, an interactive fire engine simulator, and fire safety information for all ages.

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