As Fire Prevention Week™ approaches, the City of Mena Fire Department reminds residents to
“Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety™”
Sept. 23, 2021 – The City of Mena Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)—the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years—to promote this year’s Fire Prevention WeekTM campaign, “Learn the Sounds of Fire SafetyTM.” This year’s campaign, October 3-9th, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“What do the sounds mean? Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of your smoke or carbon monoxide
alarm? Knowing the difference can save you, your home, and your family,” said Lorraine Carli, vice-president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA.
The City of Mena Fire Department encourages all residents to embrace the 2021 Fire Prevention Week theme.
“It’s important to learn the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When an alarm makes noise—a beeping sound or a chirping sound—you must take action!” said Mena's Fire Chief Steve Egger. “Make sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond. To learn the sounds of your specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check the manufacturer’s instructions that came in the box, or search the brand and model online.”
The City of Mena Fire Department wants to share safety tips to help you “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety”
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A continuous set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and
stay out.
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A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
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All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
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Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and
the unit must be replaced.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Mena, please contact the City of Mena Fire Department at 479-394-1234 or visit our facebook page. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit www.fpw.org.

L toR front row: Andrew Vance, Chief Steve Egger, Mayor Seth Smith, Assistant Chief Charles Hankins, Keena Ashcraft.
L to R standing: Peter Gandy, Dustin Stover, Ben Vincent, Nat Ferry, Ray Surber, Captain Donnie Harvey, Mike Cross, Captain Eric Turner, James Turner, Captain Tom Hairston, Joe Quinn, Jason Head, Wes Kimp, Clint Sharp.
In truck: Fire Pup and Sam Cavelli.
Not pictured: Daniel Sanchez, Darrell Page, Emory Zakin.
Photo Credit: Ewanta Turner
Mena Fire Chief Steve Egger added: "We are especially excited to report that with the generosity of our community sponsors with the National Fire Safety Council we have provided official fire safety manuals to Pre-K thru 4th grade in our community. Students for not only the Mena campus but also the Ouachita River School District at Acorn and Oden as well as the Cossatot River School District at Wickes, Vandervoort, and Umpire have received these fire safety education materials. 1,553 Official Fire safety Manuals were deliverd to area schools last week in advance of National Fire Prevention Week."
Mayor Seth Smith's Proclamation is below.
2021 Proclamation
WHEREAS, the City of Mena, Arkansas is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our city; and
WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and
WHEREAS, home fires killed more than 2,770 people in the United States in 2019, according to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), and fire departments in the United States responded to 339,500 home fires; and
WHEREAS, smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger in the event of fire in which you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely; and
WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half; and
WHEREAS, Mena's residents should be sure everyone in the home understands the sounds
of the alarms and knows how to respond; and
WHEREAS, Mena's residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and
WHEREAS, Mena's residents will make sure their smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all their family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities;
and
WHEREAS, Mena's first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and
WHEREAS, Mena's residents are responsive to public education measures are better able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and
WHEREAS, the 2021 Fire Prevention WeekTM theme, “Learn the Sounds of Fire SafetyTM,” effectively serves to remind us it is important to learn the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
THEREFORE, I Seth Smith Mayor of Mena do hereby proclaim October 3–9, 2021, as Fire Prevention Week throughout this state, and I urge all the people of Mena to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” for Fire Prevention Week 2021 and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Mena's fire and emergency services.
9-23-21 2:30 p.m. KAWX.ORG