Fire Prevention
Today, smoke alarms in homes are a universally embraced protection again fires, fire injuries, and fire deaths. But their widespread use only started to gain traction in the 1970s. In fact, the DC Fire Department was one of the first major fire departments to train all of its members about the effective use of smoke detectors, as they were originally called. Washington, DC was also one of the first cities of have a smoke detector ordinance.
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The DC smoke detector program was developed and launched under the leadership of Fire Chief Burton Johnson as one of the objectives of his new Office of Community Relations. It was part of Chief Johnson’s efforts to connect with local residents and to teach them about fire prevention and safety. Retired Lieutenant Willie Drummond tells the story of these programs in his oral history interview here. Prior to this work, up to 100 residents a year would die in fires. Tragically, many of those deaths were preventable. Today, DC typically has under ten fire deaths per year.
Retired Firefighter Burton Clark, who worked under the leadership of Chief Johnson and Lieutenant Drummond, also tells this story here:
Today, fire prevention education and outreach are under the responsibility of the office of the DC Fire Marshal, or the Fire Prevention Division. This Division’s outreach team conducts regular fire prevention education to DC residents, with a focus on school-aged children and senior citizens, those at highest risk of fire injuries and deaths. It also installs thousands of free smoke alarms in low-income homes on an annual basis.
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The Fire Prevention Division’s inspectors and investigations are responsible for enforcement of the International Fire Code, which the District has adopted as local law. Washington, DC now requires all new construction to have sprinkler systems installed, another very effective way of preserving property and lives against fire risk.
After fatal fires in Washington, DC, the FPD returns to the scene of the fire, installs free smoke alarms and conducts fire safety inspections in neighboring homes.
On a regular basis, the FPD conducts All Hands of Prevention outreach in neighborhoods across the city.
Prior to the 1970s, the Friendship Fire Association took an active role in fire prevention education and activities in the city.
