Kirtland Air Force Base proclaims Fire Prevention Week Published Oct. 7, 2011 Kirtland Air Force Base KIRTLAND AFB,N.M. -- Col. David Hornyak, 377th Air Base Wing vice commander, has proclaimed Oct. 9 to Oct. 15 as "Fire Prevention Week" here. This year's theme is "Protect Your Family From Fire!" The Kirtland Air Force Base Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to inform Team Kirtland about the leading causes of fires in homes, such as cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. "In 2009, 2,565 people died as a result of fires in homes," said Gabriel Moreno, Kirtland AFB Fire Department assistant chief of fire prevention. "Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions, like having working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan. Fire is a dangerous opponent, but by anticipating the hazards, you are much less likely to be one of the nearly 13,000 people injured in home fires each year." For more information about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities, call the Kirtland Air Force Base Fire Prevention Branch at 853-6093 or visit www.firerepreventionweek.org.