CONTACT:

Randy Minaker
Deputy Fire Chief
Port Coquitlam Fire & Emergency Services
T: 604.927.5340
E: minakerr@portcoquitlam.ca

With Fire Prevention Week approaching on October 8-14, Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services reminds residents to make sure they have a fire escape plan.

This year`s Fire Prevention Week theme ‘Every Second Counts – Plan Two Ways Out!’ raises awareness that seconds count in a fire and can make the difference in residents escaping safely.

Residents are reminded of the importance of having an escape plan and provided the following tips to make it a fun household activity:

• Draw a floorplan of your home showing all doors and windows.
• Find two ways out of every room.
• Make sure windows and doors are not blocked.
• Choose an outside meeting place in front of your home.
• Practice your drill with everyone in your home regularly both during the day and at night.
• Get outside to your meeting place.
• Talk about your plan with everyone in your home.
• Make sure your home has working smoke alarms on each floor. Test them regularly.
• Know the emergency number for your fire department. Make sure your house number is clearly marked so it is easy for your fire department to find.

The City takes part in Fire Prevention Week each year by educating the community on the year’s theme, conducting elementary school fire drills, and handing out the Fire Safety Starts With You pamphlet to students.

This year, students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 who complete the pamphlet can enter a draw for an iPad from the Office of the Fire Commissioner. Entry forms will be provided by the fire department to local schools and will be picked up by during Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8 to 14. Entries can also be dropped off by Nov. 10 at the No. 1 Fire Hall at 1725 Broadway St., faxed to 604-927-5406 or emailed to fire@portcoquitlam.ca. Entry forms will be drawn on Nov. 17.

Students can also enter into a draw for a chance to be Captain of the Day or Fire Chief for a Day at https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/fire-department-ballot/

For more fire safety and prevention tips, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/fire or contact the Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services Department at fire@portcoquitlam.ca or 604.927.5466.

###