Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke on Monday joined a group of Chattanooga firefighters at the Fireman’s Fountain to kick off Fire Prevention Week.
Fire Marshall Beau Matlock said the theme for this year is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep!” Chief Matlock said that when a fire breaks out in a home, every second counts. “Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep,” said Matlock. “Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
Mayor Berke said everyone knows how fire presents a danger not only to local citizens but to firefighters as well. “Fire Prevention Week is about making sure we’re serving our citizens in the best way possible,” said Berke. “We also honor those firefighters who have come before us, and we honor those that have given the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our city.”
Chief Matlock said fire service remains one of the most dangerous professions one can choose. Members of the fire department’s honor guard then led the gathering in saluting the firefighters who passed away over the past year.
The Fireman’s Fountain, located next to the county courthouse on Georgia Avenue, was erected as a tribute to the bravery of firefighters Henry Iler and W.M. Peak, who died in the line of duty in “The Bee Hive Fire” at Fourth Avenue and Market Street on June 9, 1887.
Source: Chattanooga Fire Department