JFRD Kicks off Fire Prevention Week with “Before the Sirens”
UPDATE: Due to inclement weather forecast this weekend, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) and the City of Jacksonville Neighborhoods Department have canceled the Community Event planned for Saturday, October 10, at Lonnie C. Miller Sr. Regional Park. The event will be rescheduled at a later date.
“The safety of our residents always comes first,” said Director/Fire Chief Percy Golden II. “We’re disappointed to postpone, but we look forward to seeing everyone at the rescheduled event. Until then, please stay weather-aware, and practice fire safety at home.”
The City of Jacksonville’s Emergency Preparedness Division is closely monitoring the forecast and is in regular contact with the National Weather Service. Residents are urged to stay weather-aware this weekend. Visit JaxReady.com for preparedness information and updates.
The new event date will be announced on JFRD social media and at MyJFRD.com.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) is marking Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, with “Before the Sirens,” a weeklong campaign focused on simple steps residents can take at home before an emergency happens.
Mayor Donna Deegan has proclaimed this week as Fire Prevention Week in the City of Jacksonville and is urging residents to learn about fire prevention and practice fire safety habits at home.
“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.”
JFRD is bringing local fire safety to the community all week. Topics include:
- Why visible address numbers help crews find you when seconds count.
- Smoke alarm and fire extinguisher basics.
- A JFRD firefighter’s story of being burned and what she wants families to know.
- Safe charging habits for phones, e-bikes, scooters, and other devices with lithium-ion batteries.
- Real questions answered by JFRD firefighters.
The Community Event originally scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at Lonnie C. Miller Sr. Regional Park has been canceled due to forecast inclement weather and will be rescheduled at a later date.
Steps You Can Take Today to Stay Safe
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Test them monthly.
- Make a home escape plan with two ways out of every room and practice it with everyone in your household.
- Charge devices on a hard surface, use the charger made for the device, and unplug it once it’s fully charged.
- Make sure your house number is easy to see from the street, day and night.
For more fire safety information and updates on the rescheduled community event, visit MyJFRD.com and follow JFRD on social media.
About Jacksonville Fire and Rescue
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) serves more than 1 million residents across 885 square miles of Duval County. With 1,900 personnel operating from 71 stations, JFRD responds to over 100,000 calls for service each year, including fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and technical rescues. To learn more, visit myjfrd.com.