Fire Won't Wait: Plan Your Escape

It’s time for Fire Prevention Week, and from October 9 to 15, the St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD) is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents 'Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape'. This message focuses on what a home escape plan entails and the importance of practicing it.

Captain Gary Power states that “these messages are very important, particularly because today’s homes burn faster than ever. New homes are being built with more open spaces and unprotected lightweight construction, in addition to modern home furnishings being made of synthetic fibers. These factors can contribute to an increased burn rate.”

Plan Ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.

Safety Tips

• Make a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
• Have an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year.
• Practice using different ways out.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
• Close doors behind you as you leave.

If the smoke alarm sounds

• Get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people or pets.
• If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.
• Call the fire department from outside your home.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by Fire Departments across the Country and is one of the longest running public health and safety events on record. In recognition of the 100 years of Fire Prevention Week, being held from October 9-15, 2022, the St. John’s Regional Fire Department have many events taking place throughout the region and invite people of all ages to come and enjoy the festivities and learn all about fire safety!

Open House

Our Open House provides a great opportunity for citizens to meet and speak to our Firefighters and Fire Prevention Staff who will be happy to provide any safety tips. Open House events are taking place at our West End, Mount Pearl and Paradise Fire Stations on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Fire Prevention Display Booth

• Avalon Mall from October 11 to 15.
• Tuesday: 1 to 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday: 1 to 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday: 1 to 8:30 p.m.
• Friday: 1 to 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fire Chief for a Day - Poster Contest

Children between the ages of seven and twelve years of age are eligible to enter the Fire Prevention week poster contest. To enter, children must create an 8 ½ x 11 posters, using the theme 'Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape'.

Completed entries can be dropped off October 11-14, from 1 to 8:30 pm, and October 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fire Prevention Booth located in the Avalon Mall. You can also bring them to the St. John’s Regional Fire Department Administration Office (entrance off Parade Street) between 9:30 a.m. 4 p.m. before October 14. Please ensure that the child’s name, school, age and telephone number are placed on the back of the poster.