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HFD focuses on prevention, safety classes
LAMAR COOK 9 18
Fire Chief Lamar Cook
Undertaking a comprehensive effort to prevent fires and educate the public about the importance of public safety has been a focal point for the Hinesville Fire Department for the past five years.
With classes and activities for children and adults, the HFD also conducts routine safety checks of Hinesville residences to assess potential fire hazards, and to install smoke detectors, HFD administrative assistant Jan Leverett said.  
Because of these classes and programs beginning in 2002, the number of fire incidents (caused by either children or adults) in Hinesville has declined, she said.
“Once Chief (Lamar) Cook took over, we have expanded year round to further fire safety, and it has really paid off because through education we have heightened the community’s awareness of potential fire hazards.” Capt. Andra Hart said.
Under Cook’s  initiative HFD has educated more than 47,000 people and installed or inspected 4,000 smoke alarms in households, along with inspecting roughly 500 child safety seats, Leverett said.
“One may be surprised because our department does a lot more than just put out fires,” HFD administrative clerk Wendy Bruce said.
The HFD classes and programs vary widely, Leverett said. Some of the classes and programs for adults include: CPR/first aid certification, fire extinguisher classes, home safety checks and daycare and health care provider fire safety/CPR classes.  
For children or teenagers, the HFD hosts field trips to the fire house, the department has CPR certification for babysitters, holds activities and sessions at grade schools and high schools and hosts a Fire Explorer’s Post program for young adults interested in becoming firefighters.  
To find out more concerning this fire safety initiative or to learn more about the array of classes and programs, call Bruce at 876-4143.
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