JFRD Launches Fire Prevention Week in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) launched Fire Prevention Week on Sunday, Oct. 4, with its "Before the Sirens" campaign. The initiative, running through Oct. 10, aims to educate residents on simple steps to prevent fires and ensure safety before an emergency occurs.

Mayor Donna Deegan proclaimed the week as Fire Prevention Week in Jacksonville, urging citizens to learn about fire safety and practice good habits. "Last year, JFRD personnel responded to 940 structure fires in Duval County," said Director/Fire Chief Percy Golden II. "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."

Throughout the week, JFRD is sharing fire safety information, including the importance of visible address numbers for quick emergency response, smoke alarm and fire extinguisher basics, safe charging practices for electronic devices with lithium-ion batteries, and personal accounts from firefighters. Residents can ask JFRD firefighters questions directly.

A free community safety fair is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lonnie C. Miller Sr. Regional Park. Hosted by JFRD and the City of Jacksonville Neighborhoods Department, the event will offer families a chance to meet firefighters, witness live demonstrations, win prizes, and engage in hands-on fire safety activities. "On Saturday, we’re inviting Jacksonville to come to us," Golden added.

Residents can enhance home safety by installing and testing smoke alarms monthly on every level of the home and in sleeping areas. They should also create and practice a home escape plan with at least two ways out of each room and ensure house numbers are clearly visible from the street, day and night. For charging devices, JFRD recommends using hard surfaces, employing the correct charger, and unplugging devices once fully charged.

More information about the Fire Prevention Week campaign and fire safety tips is available at MyJFRD.com and on JFRD's social media channels.