Fighting fires: Base responders kick off annual observance Sunday Published Oct. 11, 2006 By Senior Airman Dilia DeGrego McGuire Public Affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- The 305th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department will kick off fire prevention week Sunday with their annual candy run at 4:30 p.m. in Falcon Courts North and East. "Sparky the Fire Dog" and the rest of the fire department will drive through housing with the lights and sirens on, passing out candy to children. This year's theme for Fire Prevention Week is "Watch What You Heat." To better inform members of how to prevent fires, the fire department is hosting an open house, showcasing booths and providing briefings at base schools. "Part of the fire department's job is to educate people about fire safety, because if people know what causes fires they can help stop them," said Thomas Nicometi, 305th CES assistant chief of fire prevention. "We want to make sure people are aware of the dangers of fire," he said. "So far this year, McGuire has had three reportable fires in Falcon Courts North. Although this number may not seem like a lot, one fire is one fire too many. "A fire can happen at any moment, due to the simplest mistake," added Mr. Nicometi. "Unattended cooking is the number one cause of house fires in the Air Force and at McGuire. People start watching TV or talking on the phone and the next thing they know, their dinner is on fire. They need to be aware and prepared." Staff Sgt. Ebony Lee, 305th Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector, agrees. "Fire prevention is not a one day, or one week, practice - it's an everyday thing. Everyone needs to be prepared." Both members agree that fire prevention is as easy as cleaning out the clothes dryer hose vents or having an operational fire extinguisher that's checked periodically. "Often people are careless with fire hazards just because they don't know better," Sergeant Lee said. "Many others have the it won't happen to me' mentality and don't think about fire prevention until it (a fire) actually does happen to them." Wednesday through Friday members of the fire department plan to visit base schools to teach children the importance of fire safety. Children will learn about stop, drop and roll, try on equipment and receive fire hats and badges. The fire department will also visit Child Development Center II on Tuesday to go over evacuation drills and let the children tour trucks and equipment. The fire department is holding an open house in Fire Station 1, Building 1712, from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 13. To closeout Fire Prevention Week, the McGuire and Fort Dix fire departments will display their fire engines and offer demonstrations in the base exchange parking lot from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct 14. For more information on Fire Prevention Week, call the fire department at (609) 754-2451.