CRR Week

State Fire Agency Announces Community Risk Reduction Week 2024

The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) takes part annually in Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week. Colorado's Governor Polis was the first in the Nation to make the official proclamation that January 15 - 21, 2024 is CRR Week. CRR Week is a grass-roots effort by an informal group of fire safety professionals from across the nation. The goal of CRR is to reduce the occurrence and impact of emergency events for both community members and emergency responders.

The idea is to help promote awareness of CRR within the fire service by having a week where everyone can do CRR programs and demonstrate its importance to the fire service.

CRR DAY  - DFPC Close Before You Doze Demonstration

Last week, the DFPC and some of our great partners were able to host a successful Community Risk Reduction Day down at Auraria Campus in Denver. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Denver Fire Department, Aurora Fire Rescue, Colorado State Patrol, DFPC’s WFMS Module 3111, Metro State’s Emergency Management Program, South Metro Safety Foundation, and the K9 Handlers from West Metro Fire Rescue, Adams County Fire Rescue, and International Fire Dogs. Their unwavering support and collaborative efforts were instrumental in making this event a resounding success. Over 500 people learned about the various careers in the fire service and the importance of closed doors.

One of the day's highlights was the live demonstration of fire dynamics and the insightful "Close Before You Doze" safety campaign by UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). This campaign has always held a special place in my heart due to its cost-effectiveness and proven efficacy. Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand how a closed door can protect lives and property, underscoring the importance of this simple yet impactful safety measure.

The team from Colorado Premier Restoration, with supplies donated from Home Depot, built a burn cell with a small room connecting two similar bedrooms. We lit paper on fire in a waste basket in the connecting room and left one of the bedroom doors open. We then closed the front door and let the fire and smoke build. Within 20 seconds, the smoke alarm started to sound. Typical smoke from any home fire contains carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen sulfide. Most people succumb to the smoke before fire flames ever touch them. The burn cell replicated a typical home fire and produced enough smoke to make the exposed rooms deadly within a few minutes.

While it's natural to want to hear your child and ensure their well-being in the middle of the night, it's equally vital to maintain effective fire safety measures. Allow me to offer a solution that addresses both concerns. Installing a simple monitor in your child's room lets you stay attuned to their movements while keeping doors closed for maximum safety. This minor adjustment can provide peace of mind without compromising on safety.

I also empathize with your desire to prioritize your beloved pets' safety. However, leaving doors open during a fire, even to allow pets to escape, can inadvertently exacerbate the situation. An open door brings in the fresh air, which feeds the fire, causing it to spread faster and more intensely.

So, what SHOULD you do?

1. Install and maintain working smoke alarms in a mix of photoelectric (smoking fires) and ionization (flaming fires), preferably interconnected. This allows for notification of a fire throughout the home, no matter where the fire ignites.
2. Adopt the practice of closing doors when sleeping, leaving for the day, departing for vacation, and, if feasible, on your evacuation route during a fire emergency.

Together, let's prioritize safety measures that protect every member of our households, both human and furry. By adopting proactive strategies and staying informed, we can create safer environments for ourselves and our loved ones. Fires move fast. A working smoke alarm alerts you to get out. Closed doors help to minimize damage and add an extra layer of protection for our loved ones.

More information: https://closeyourdoor.org/