Fire departments across the state are shifting their focus on getting the fire prevention message out amid the coronavirus pandemic. This week is Fire Prevention Week. Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue Division Chief of Fire Prevention Garth Schumacher says instead of fire station open houses, and in-school demonstrations, educational programming is going online. “This year is going to be a pretty humble year for fire departments trying to get out their message,” Schumacher told WFDL news.” “We’re not getting out to schools, we’re not getting tours coming through the (fire) station, we’re not doing an open house.” This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme focuses on safe cooking practices. Fire officials say there could be some new cold weather threats this year. With indoor spaces presenting risks for COVID exposure, people may try to extend their outdoor activities into late fall and winter by heating garages and outdoor spaces. The concern is that could lead to related calls for fires, smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning from improper use of outdoor space heaters.
