OCTOBER IS FIRE PREVENTION MONTH AND FIRE PREVENTION WEEK IS OCTOBER 7TH THROUGH THE 13TH. AREA FIRE DEPARTMENTS WANT TO REMIND LOCAL RESIDENTS TO BE PREPARED IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE. ACCORDING TO BARRY BRICKEY, PUBLIC EDUCATION OFFICER WITH THE KINGSPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT, HAVING AND PRACTICING AN ESCAPE PLAN IS CRITICAL – ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SAVING THE LIVES OF FAMILY MEMBERS. BRICKEY ADDS THAT IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO INSTALL WORKING SMOKE ALARMS ON EVERY LEVEL OF YOUR HOME. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION, OVER 3-THOUSAND PEOPLE DIED IN HOMES FIRES IN 2005 – THAT TRANSLATES INTO ROUGHLY EIGHT PEOPLE EVERY DAY.