By Petty Officer 3rd Class Kristopher Haley
Commander U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo celebrated the annual Fire Prevention Week. The week is a national event that provides safety-related topics to the community.
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.
Each year the National Fire Prevention Association sets a theme for fire prevention week. This year’s theme is “don’t wait check the date” which focuses on teaching personnel about smoke alarms. Training includes testing every month, changing the batteries every year and replacing them every ten years.
In support of Fire Prevention Week the Commander Naval Region Japan Fire and Emergency Services department had a kick off parade through CFAS with a proclamation signing.
“The importance of this event was to ensure the CO adopted the campaign and initiated the CNRJ Fire and Emergency Services to spread the word throughout the community.” Said Hans Christian, assistant chief of fire prevention.
In addition to the parade other events were scheduled such as an open house of the fire department with fire safety demonstrations.
Fire Prevention Week is the focal point for a month of fire-safety related events that will be held around the base and in the schools that includes fire drills and safety training.
The CNRJ Fire and Emergency Services Department on CFAS won best large fire department in
