Fire department to check 500 homes, install smoke alarms

The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services is going to inspect 500 houses in the CNMI and install smoke alarms, according to DFEMS Commissioner Claudio Norita yesterday.

Norita said the department, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will conduct an awareness campaign for their smoke alarm program throughout October.

“We are going to teach our kids fire prevention,” Norita said yesterday at the proclamation signing for Fire Prevention Month and National Fallen Firefighter Day at the Governor’s Office conference room.

October has been declared Fire Prevention Month nationwide. This year’s national theme is “Install, inspect, protect, with a smoke alarm!”

Norita disclosed that they have about 200 smoke alarms and that they are procuring 300 more so they can reach out to at least 500 homes in the Commonwealth.

Three out of five home fire deaths reportedly resulted from fires in homes that were without working smoke alarms.

On National Fallen Firefighter Day on Oct. 12, Norita said they will have a memorial to honor firefighters nationwide who have died in the line of duty. In the CNMI, firefighter Ernie Dela Cruz was killed in the line of duty so his name is inscribed at the memorial ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The department will have a Mass on Oct. 12 for National Fallen Firefighter Day.

Norita also announced that Austin Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr, the first woman installed as president and board chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, will be going to Guam and proceeding to Saipan on Oct. 30.

Norita said that Kerr accepted their invitation to visit Saipan.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide.

In proclaiming Fire Prevention Month, Gov. Eloy S. Inos urged everyone to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the house, including the basement, and to support the public safety activities and efforts of DFEMS.

In signing Firefighters Memorial Service Day, Inos called upon all citizens and all civic and educational organizations to observe the day of Oct. 12 “in recognition of the patriotic service and dedicated efforts of fire and emergency services personnel by lowering the American and CNMI flags on all buildings to half-staff.”

“I further call upon all citizens of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to remember all fire and emergency personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community and to pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes,” Inos said.

The events of Sept. 11, 2001, brought national attention to the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices faced by fire and emergency services personnel on a daily basis, according to the proclamation.

In 2014, DFEMS responded to 333 suppression calls, 19 of which were structure fires, six activated alarms, 14 vehicle fires, 258 debris fires, and 50 wildland fires.