By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
October may be the busiest month for Great Bend firefighters. On top of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 9-15 this year, the firefighters are also preparing for their 17th annual spaghetti feed fundraiser on Nov. 3 at the Knights of Columbus in Great Bend.
"It's our big fundraiser for our social and charity fund," said GBFD Captain Matt Petersen. "With that, we've helped sponsor honor flights, we all really like to promote and donate to Kans for Kids, we think that's a great organization. It funds our charitable donations and things we do with the community."
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 killed approximately 300 people and led to the creation of Fire Prevention Week, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. This year's theme of "Fire Won't Wait, Plan your Escape," reflects the importance of making an escape plan, and the extra danger of plastics and hydrocarbons in most homes that burn much faster than materials of the past. New evidence suggests, in the event of a fire, a person has no more than two minutes after a smoke alarm goes off to safely exit the structure. Engineer Garrett Tindall said it's important to make plans both at home and at work.
"You don't think of an emergency happening there, but it absolutely can and it does," he said. "When that happens, you need to be prepared as to how to act and what to do and stay calm in that situation. If you don't have a plan, you're not going to stay that way."
The firefighters will once again visit all preschool and kindergarten classes in Great Bend, and all K-6 students will see a fire prevention skit at the Great Bend Auditorium. This year's skit will feature a professional wrestling theme. The skit will be fun but Fire Prevention Week is all about education for both kids and adults. Petersen reminded families to do the small things.
"Check the safety equipment that's there to help you," he said. "Everybody should have a smoke detector in their house. It does you no good if the battery is not good. Make sure you check it once a month and change the battery once a year."
Contact firefighters at either Great Bend station to purchase tickets for the spaghetti feed on Nov. 3, from 5-7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus. Tickets are $7 for the meal, and raffle tickets for prizes to be determined, will sell for $1.