Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

Senior Airman Trae Smith, left, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, showcases fire truck functions to children during Fire Prevention Week at Gunsan Jigok Elementary School, Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 10, 2023. Members of the 8th CES coordinated with their ROK Air Force counterparts to provide fire prevention education to local school children and spread foundational fire safety messages in observance of Fire Prevention Week. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

Sparky, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron fire prevention mascot, cheers on children at a soccer game during a Fire Prevention Week educational event at Gunsan Jigok Elementary School, Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 10, 2023. Fire Prevention Week is celebrated throughout North America every October and is the oldest health observance on record in the U.S. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

A child from Gunsan Jigok Elementary School explores the functions of a fire truck during a Fire Prevention Week education event hosted by the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron from Kunsan Air Base at Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 10, 2023. Fire Prevention Week is the longest-running public health observance in the U.S. and this year’s theme is “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.” (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

From right, Master Sgt. Carlos Carvajal, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of fire prevention, and Lt. Col. John Kim, 8th CES commander, engage with students from Gunsan Jigok Elementary School during a Fire Prevention Week educational event at Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 10, 2023. Fire departments, schools and community organizations play a key role in bringing Fire Prevention Week to life in their communities each year to support the spread of foundational fire safety messages. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cooper, right, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, distributes goods that promote and amplify fire safety messages during a Fire Prevention Week educational event at Gunsan Jigok Elementary School, Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 10, 2023. President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a U.S. national observance in 1925, making it the longest-running public health observance in the country. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

Sparky, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron fire prevention mascot, distributes junior patrol hats to children during a Fire Prevention Week educational event at Gunsan Jigok Elementary School, Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 10, 2023. Celebrating its 101st year, Fire Prevention Week serves to educate people about the leading risks of home fires and ways they can better protect themselves and their loved ones. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

Master Sgt. Carlos Carvajal, left, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of fire prevention, and Tae Yon Kim, 8th CES fire inspector, brief students on fire safety habits during a Fire Prevention Week educational event at Gunsan Jigok Elementary School, Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 10, 2023. During Fire Prevention Week, firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

Senior Airman Michael Torres, right, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, lifts students from Gunsan Jigok Elementary School onto a fire truck during a Fire Prevention Week educational event in Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 10, 2023. Fire Prevention Week is observed each year in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which destroyed 2,000 acres of land. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

Members from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department gather for a photo with students from Gunsan Jigok Elementary School during a Fire Prevention Week educational event in Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 10, 2023. Service members from the 8th CES and their Republic of Korea Air Force counterparts, visited the school to share this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention,” with local students to prevent mishaps when cooking. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Kunsan Airmen share Fire Prevention with local community

Published Oct. 13, 2023
By Senior Airman Karla Parra
8th Fighter WIng Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

The 8th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department led the installation's annual Fire Prevention Week observance Oct. 6-13.

Originally proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925, Fire Prevention Week commemorates the lives lost due to fire-related incidents by educating the public on vital fire prevention practices.

Col. Timothy B. Murphy, 8th Fighter Wing commander, kicked off the week-long observance by unveiling banners recognizing the 8th CES as the 2022 Air Force and Department of Defense Fire Department along with signing the 2023 Kunsan AB Fire Prevention Week proclamation.

Along with installation events focused on spreading fire safety messages, the 8th CES fire department visited Gunsan Jigok Elementary School. Kunsan AB firefighters and their ROK Air Force counterparts provided hands-on activities for the school children and educational briefings designed to encourage foundational fire safety habits.

For more information on fire safety visit www.NFPA.org