National Fire Protection Week begins today – the 100th year of setting aside a week in early October to emphasize fire safety and what to do if a fire occurs.
This year’s theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”
The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department traditionally marks the start of the week with a free spaghetti feed and vice-president Jack Arterburn says that’s true again this year.
Arterburn says the participating partners included law enforcement and agencies that deal with wildfires.
Arterburn says at least one of the first-responder partners needs to use the parking lot across 3rd Street for part of its display.
Members of the Chadron VFD made school visits last week with more planned for this week.
State and American flags are at half-staff across the nation until sunset today in honor of this morning’s National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the Memorial just outside Washington in Maryland.
The names of 148 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year and several who died in previous years will be inscribed on a bronze plaque and become a permanent part of the National Memorial in honor of their sacrifices.
Two Nebraskans are among those being added to the Memorial tomorrow. Dennis Bender and Bob Kneif were both members of the Ponca Hills VFD.