Ocean Springs News
OS Fire Department Prepares for National Fire Prevention Week
Ocean Springs, MS – The Ocean Springs Fire Department is preparing for National Fire Prevention Week, October 4 – 10, by providing fire safety and prevention information to Ocean Springs children for the month of October. The department will also host the annual Fire Prevention Week Parade on October 17 at 1:00 p.m., at the corner of Washington Avenue and Porter Avenue.
Beginning October 4, Ocean Springs fire fighters, Sparky, the fire fighting mascot, and Patches and Pumper, a remote-controlled staffed fire truck, will visit 11 area preschools and elementary schools. The mobile Fire Prevention Trailer will be used to teach Elementary-age children about fire safety and prevention. Firemen will arrive by fire truck to all 11 locations. School site visits for the Fire Department conclude on October 30.
“Fire Prevention is a month-long activity in our department, because of the importance of teaching young children about fire safety and prevention,” said Fire Chief Jeff Ponson. “Area children enjoy the fire truck and the modern fire prevention teaching tools of the Fire Prevention Trailer. Of course, Sparky is always a favorite.”
On October 17, the Fire Department will host its annual Fire Prevention Week Parade to promote fire safety and prevention. The parade will also recognize and honor firefighters, police, emergency medical personnel, and all emergency service workers.
The public is also encouraged to attend a safety presentation prior to the start of the parade, at noon in the First Baptist Church parking lot of Porter Avenue. The Fire Prevention Trailer, fire extinguisher demos, mascots, obstacle courses, and other fire safety educational activities will be offered. ACE Hardware of Ocean Springs will offer free smoke detector battery replacement and disposal. Delta Sanitation will provide a giant inflatable recycling truck for children to slide and jump-on. Sparky and Patches and Pumper will also be present.
The parade forms at 12:00/noon on Bellande Avenue, adjacent to Porter Avenue east of Washington Avenue. At 1:00 p.m., it will proceed east on Porter Avenue, north on Washington Avenue, then travel east on Government Street, moving south on Magnolia Avenue, and then west on Porter Avenue to disband in front of Ocean Springs City Hall.
