Hillsboro Fire Dept. plans ‘Great Escape’ for Oct. 11

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN STAFF
“The Great Escape” (a.k.a the world’s largest fire drill) is to take place in Hillsboro and surrounding areas during Fire Prevention Week, Oct, 8-14.



It will take place in Hillsboro and the surrounding area at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11.



The Hillsboro Fire Department has teamed up with the nonprofit National Fire Prevention Association, the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for nearly 80 years, and other fire departments across North America to actively support “The Great Escape” during Fire Prevention Week.



Launched by NFPA in October 1998, “The Great Escape” is a three-year public safety campaign aimed at making people safer from fire by motivating them to develop and practice a home fire escape plan.



Results from the past two years highlight the campaign’s effectiveness. NFPA has documented hundreds of thousands of families participating in the event each year, with 58 lives saved as a direct result, including 35 children under the age of 12.



According to the Hillsboro Fire Department, home fire escape planning can make the difference between life and death in a fire.



“A typical home fire can become deadly fast,” said Fire Chief Wayne Lowry.



“From the time the smoke alarm sounds, people may have as little as two minutes to escape.”



“That means everyone in the household needs to snap into action immediately, which takes planning and practice.”



The Hillsboro Fire Department believes “The Great Escape” is a highly effective program for providing those life safety skills to the community.



“‘The Great Escape’ is a fun, family-oriented program that can make a life-saving difference for everybody,” says Lowry said. “As we enter the third and final year of this campaign, I hope more Hillsboro and surrounding area residents participate than ever before.”

More from article archives
Chamberlain continues on his way to recovery
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JULIE ANDERSON Brian Chamberlain, Hillsboro, is home and continuing to...
Read More