91原创 City firefighters are repeating a few popular methods for getting word out about fire prevention this month.
One of their more visible initiatives will see firefighters bagging groceries at local stores during Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct 6 to 12, explained Bob Perry.
鈥淲e鈥檒l have the crews there packing groceries, putting in [educational] inserts, and just reminding people about smoke alarms and that kind of thing,鈥� said Perry, the 91原创 City Fire & Rescue fire prevention captain.
For a few hours each morning, 9 to 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Oct 8 to 10), the team will be present at various City stores, Perry elaborated.
The tour starts Tuesday at No Frills, moves to Safeway (at 208 Street) on next Wednesday, and concludes with Save-On-Foods (Fraser Highway) Thursday morning.
While the grocery packing helps them reach out to 91原创 City adults, there鈥檚 also efforts afoot to educate children, said Perry, who鈥檚 in his third year as fire prevention captain, but was on the engine responding to calls for 21 years prior to that.
鈥淲e鈥檙e sending packages out to the schools during Fire Prevention Week, strongly suggesting they鈥檙e doing their fire drills.鈥�
He noted schools that participate in the drills are entered into a draw for a $200 gift card from the Downtown 91原创 Business Association.
Local kids will also have a chance, through their schools, to enter in a draw to be fire chief for a day.
While he enjoys connecting with adults and children alike during the various fire prevention events and outreach initiatives, Perry feels more needs to be done throughout the year to enhance awareness.
鈥淢y philosophy is that these are things we should be drilling home all year round, and Fire Prevention Week is just the opportunity to highlight this to everybody.鈥�
He pointed to this year鈥檚 theme about smoke alarms, and said this is a message he鈥檚 stressing all year round.
鈥淲e still like to have one week where it鈥檚 brought to the forefront for everybody, especially in the schools we drill it home. In the younger kids, if it鈥檚 something we can kind of drive home for them at a young age, then it鈥檚 something they can carry on in their years as they turn into adults,鈥� Perry shared.
鈥淚 like connecting with the kids and being able to teach them and allow them to understand the importance of fire safety,鈥� he added, knowing they inevitably share what they learn with their parents and grandparents 鈥� some who might not be aware because they come from different cultures or upbrings where such safety precautions are not taught or emphasized.
鈥淭he more and more people we can reach, the more and more safe our City is going to be, and that鈥檚 our goal.鈥�
Reflecting back on calls during the past year, Perry could  not recount a fire where a smoke alarm wasn鈥檛 present and working.
鈥淧eople are getting better and better about it,鈥� he said, also noting that it helps that any of the new construction in the City is mandate to have fire detection systems be in place.
鈥淚t all makes a difference,鈥� Perry said, in helping to save lives.