Media Advisory

TO                          Assignment and Features Editors, PSA Directors

FROM                     University Fire Department

SUBJECT                OPEN HOUSE FEATURES FIRE SAFETY, WILDLAND EDUCATION

LOCATION              North Chandalar Drive

DATE & TIME          Saturday, May 6 from noon-3 p.m.

Practice exit drills from a smoke-filled house, learn about wildland fire safety and check out emergency response apparatus during the annual University Fire Department Open House Saturday, May 6. The firehouse bay doors roll up from noon- 3 p.m. to showcase the men and women who serve as firefighters, emergency medical technicians and officers with the department.

University Fire Service Area commissioners will serve up free hot dogs, drinks and information about how a new fire service rating will affect community property owners. UFD was recently rated as the best in the state with a Public Fire Protection Class 2 by the Insurance Services Office, an independent national organization used by the insurance industry to evaluate the risk potential of communities.

Rookie and veteran student firefighters will demonstrate water rescue, firefighting and medical equipment. Children can also practice how to get out of a smoke-filled bedroom in the EDITH, or "exit drills in the home," fire safety demonstration house. Joining university firefighters this year are Fairbanks Area Forestry representatives with information on burn permits and wildland fire safety in the Interior. Following the open house, UFD will hold its annual awards banquet for current and graduating fire personnel.

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CONTACT: Chief Mike Supkis, University Fire Department, at (907) 474-6303.

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