Seeley Lake Community Fire Preparedness Day

May is designated as Wildfire Awareness Month here in Montana. For those of us living around Seeley Lake, fire is, and always has been, a routine occurrence. It is something we need to be aware of almost all year long. The core of fire season is a few months away, but now is good opportunity to be thinking about the proactive steps we can all take. Each of us living in this beautiful landscape, from landowners to firefighters, should have a goal of making our community more fire safe.

Why should you specifically care about being prepared for fire? Well mostly because fires can happen at any time, often with little or no warning. But secondly, preparedness is a shared responsibility and we all have a role in protecting the community and way of life in our watershed. Lastly, a prepared community can keep our firefighters safer and out of harm's way, of which we all really appreciate.

Your local fire agencies want you to be safe and prepared for the worst. Coming up Saturday, May 7 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. will be the first annual Seeley Lake Community Fire Preparedness Day at the Seeley Lake Fire Hall. The purpose of this event is to provide residents with the information and resources to help protect the people and homes of our community. It's shaping up to be a great event and here's a preview of what we've got going on:

SLRFD Free Smoke Detector Giveaway Program

Through generous donations received from United Way and the Seeley Lake Community Foundation, the Seeley Lake Fire Department is excited to be able to offer free smoke detectors to qualifying residents. Having smoke detectors in every home is critical in the early notification of fires and for getting your family out safely. It is the goal of the Seeley Lake Fire Department to never lose a life in Seeley Lake because of a house fire. Smoke Detectors save lives and we believe in them wholeheartedly.

Fire Safety Information & Ready, Set, Go!

We'll have lots of materials and information that you can use to keep you and your family safe from fire. This includes great information for both wildland and home fires. The Ready, Set, Go! Program encourages residents be Ready with preparedness understanding, be Set with situational awareness when fire threatens and to Go early when necessary.

Wildfire Home Assessments

Interested in learning about your home's susceptibility to wildland fire? Local firefighters will be on hand to complete a fire safety inspection of your house and discuss the results with you. These firefighters can provide you with steps to take to make your home more fire resistant. If there isn't enough time to complete your evaluation May 7, firefighters will schedule another time to come and visit with you.

Smart911

Have you heard about Reverse 911? How about Smart911? Smart911 is an advanced version of Reverse 911 and is recommended by Missoula County Emergency Responders. The program allows you to create a safety profile for your household that can proactively provide details on your family and home in the event of an emergency. With Smart911, you can add key information about members of your household that would help anyone you care for in the event of an emergency, whether the call is from the home or any mobile phone. When you dial 911, the dispatcher and first responders are shown the information you've already provided, relaying information quickly.

The second part of Smart911 is the emergency notification service that allows you to opt-in to receive alerts from your community through a variety of communication channels including voice, text or email. This service will enhance your ability to receive alerts in the event of an emergency in your area, especially for wildfire evacuation notices.

Officials from the Missoula County Office of Emergency Management will be on hand to help residents register for Smart911. If you cannot make it to the event May 7, you are still encouraged to log onto http://www.smart911.com and create your own safety profile.

Forest Health and Grant Money

Do you have questions on the health of the trees around your property? Are you interested in speaking with someone about grant money to reduce hazardous fuels around your home? Forestry professionals from the Clearwater Resource Council and the Blackfoot Challenge will be on hand to answer your questions and help you in deciding the best course of action for managing your property.

Fire Extinguisher Checks and Refills.

When was the last time that the fire extinguisher in your kitchen or pickup was checked and tested? We'll have a fire extinguisher vendor on site that can check out your fire extinguishers and make certain that they're ready to use when you need it.

Reflective Address Signs

Do you have a reflective address sign at the end of your driveway? Reflective address signs make it easier for first responders to find your house in an emergency. The Seeley Lake Fire Department can assist you in obtaining a reflective address sign and provide recommendations on placement for the best visibility.

Missoula County Fire Protection Association Kids Safety Demonstration Trailer

The MCFPA Kids Safety Demonstration Trailer will be on hand for children and families to tour. This fun trailer is set up like a mock home where families can practice identifying common household fire hazards and practice making a quick exit when a smoke alarm sounds. We'll also have other fun fire safety kids games to enjoy.

All area residents are welcome and encouraged to attend this fun event. Come enjoy a free hamburger cooked up by your local firefighters and get some great information to protect your home and family. Oh, and the best part, come down and get your picture taken with Smokey Bear!