Hopkins, MN – The Hopkins Fire Department was recently selected to participate in Sound Off, a new national program with the Home Fire Safety Patrol focusing on fire safety education for children and their families. The department is one of three fire departments in Minnesota and one of 40 communities in 11 states to launch the Sound Off program in partnership with local elementary schools.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, two out of every three fire deaths in America occur in homes where smoke alarms are either missing or not working. Sound Off delivers fun classroom lessons and activities to help children in the second and third grades and their families learn the importance of home smoke alarms, detecting fire hazards in the home and emergency escape planning.
“I have always been a strong advocate of home smoke alarms, and encourage not only the education of the members of my department, but also the education of the Hopkins community,” said Hopkins Fire Department Chief Dale Specken. “Part of our mission statement at the Hopkins Fire Department is ‘Building a Safer, Stronger Community.’ This program provides bridges and education among firefighters, educators and families.”
Sound Off is part of a federal grant from the Center for National Prevention Initiatives at the Michigan Public Health Institute.
For additional information about the Sound Off program, contact the Hopkins Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at 952-548-6454.