South Dakota Firefighters Told to Work on Prevention

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) --State Fire Marshal Al Christie challenged firefighters to work at fire prevention so 2005 doesn't become the state's worse year for fire-related deaths in recent history.

''Last year, we had 18 fire deaths, with 12 of them below the age of 10,'' Christie told those attending the state fire training school in Yankton last week.

''This year, we already have 10 deaths with most of them coming from two multiple deaths in the span of two weeks. And of those 10 deaths, seven of them were under 10 years old.''

''Those kinds of numbers have got to stop,'' he added.

A pair of January house fires near Wakonda and at Waubay killed eight children ages 3 to 17.

The number of fire-related deaths has fallen from 32 in 1976 to last year's 18, Christie said.

''When you look at our history, you may say 18 deaths in a year doesn't sound like a lot compared to 32,'' he said. ''But when you already have 10 fire deaths in the state, we need to cut it down. That's our challenge.''

Firefighters are a special breed, said Tom Dravland, secretary of the state Department of Public Safety.

''When the others are running away, you are running in. That's a large difference,'' he told the firefighters.

South Dakota has 9,500 volunteer and career firefighters, with the 365 fire departments receiving 24,785 requests for help last year, Christie said.

''The firefighters are asked to risk their lives for family, friends, neighbors and perfect strangers,'' he said.

''We think (first responders) are only on duty when we see the fire truck, police car or ambulance go by, but they are really on duty 24/7.''

Christie said firefighters face more challenges than ever before because today's materials burn hotter and faster.

Parents need to teach fire prevention to their children and educate them about smoke detectors and escape routes so they are not confused when home alone, he said.