County Records Zero Fire Fatalities for 2011

For the first time in its 62-year history, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has gone a full year without a fire-related death.

A multi-pronged effort by field operations, fire prevention, fire and life safety education and the residents of Fairfax County contributed immeasurably to making 2011 a safe and record-breaking year, according to officials.

Additionally, operational firefighting crews’ response to fire incidents, fire inspectors, fire protection retesting and monitoring, fire investigators, and fire and life safety educators, all provided a team effort in stemming fire deaths.

Outreach programs

Community outreach programs also directly support the department’s mission of “providing the highest quality of services to protect the lives, property, and environment of our community.” These programs include:

• “Every Step of the Way,” a fire and safety program targeted to the most vulnerable, children and older adults;
• “Get Alarmed,” providing free distribution and installation of smoke alarms for residents; and
• the Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program, an educational intervention program targeted to juvenile firesetters administered by a nationally certified educator.

The department also conducts a “Smoke Alarm Initiative” during the weekends of fall and spring daylight savings time, canvassing selected neighborhoods throughout the county for working smoke alarms and providing escape plans for residents.

Fairfax County, with a population of over one million residents, has averaged more than seven fire deaths annually from 2000 to 2010.