JFRD Fire Prevention Campaign Launches in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) launched its Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Before the Sirens,” Oct. 4-10. The initiative aims to educate residents on simple steps to prevent fires at home.

Mayor Donna Deegan proclaimed the week as Fire Prevention Week, urging residents to prioritize fire safety. JFRD encourages families to attend a community event on Saturday.

“Last year, JFRD personnel responded to 940 structure fires in Duval County. Every one of those calls changed someone’s life in a matter of minutes,” said Director/Fire Chief Percy Golden II. “The good news is that small habits make a big difference. Test your smoke alarms. Practice your escape plan. Make sure we can see your house number from the street. We want every resident to practice fire safety in their daily lives.”

Throughout the week, JFRD is offering community outreach on visible address numbers, smoke alarm and fire extinguisher basics, and safe charging practices for devices with lithium-ion batteries. A JFRD firefighter will also share a personal story about burn injuries.

The campaign culminates with a free community safety event on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lonnie C. Miller Sr. Regional Park. JFRD and the City of Jacksonville Neighborhoods Department are co-hosting the event, where families can meet firefighters, witness live demonstrations and win prizes.

“All week, we’re bringing fire safety to you,” Director/Fire Chief Golden stated. “On Saturday, we’re inviting Jacksonville to come to us.”

Residents can enhance home safety by installing smoke alarms on every level of their home, inside and outside sleeping areas, and testing them monthly. Creating and practicing a home escape plan with at least two ways out of every room is crucial. Charge electronic devices on hard surfaces, use the correct chargers and unplug them when fully charged. Ensure house numbers are clearly visible from the street, day and night, for rapid emergency responder access.