FAIRFIELD, NJ 07004

(973) 882-2735

“OPERATION E-D-I-T-H”

“OPERATION E-D-I-T-H” means “EXIT DRILL IN THE HOUSE.” It is a FAMILY PLAN for FIRE SAFETY. Exit Drills train families in orderly escape from fire and purpose of an EXIT DRILL IN THE HOME is to learn by doing. It is important for FAMILIES to plan and practice methods of evacuation in case of an emergency … making sure there are two means of escape from each room. Develop habit patterns NOW to insure Family Safety! A few U.S. fire experiences in 2000 & 2001 will help stress the importance of EXIT

DRILLS IN THE HOME:

Public fire departments responded to 1,708,000 fires in 2000.

There were 505,000 structure fires in 2000.

75.1% of all structure fires, or 379,500 fires, occurred in residential properties, 283,500 of these residential fires occurred in one and two family homes, accounting for 56.1% of all structure fires. 16.7% or 84,500 fires were in apartments.

37 Catastrophic fires killed 2,975 people in the U.S. in 2001.

There were 4,045 civilian fire deaths in 2000. Home fires accounted for 3,445 of those fire deaths.

More people must use and maintain Smoke Detectors, and they must develop and rehearse home escape plans.

Fire Drills are required in schools, hospitals and some places of employment, but they are neglected in the American Home.

Exit Drills reduce chances of panic, injury or death in case of fires or other disasters, and trained informed people have a much better chance to survive these situations.

Source: September / October 2001 and 2002 NFPA Journals

THE PLAN

To have each Fairfield Family prepare and conduct an Exit Drill in the Home at:

FAMILY PREPARATIONS

Have a FAMILY CONFERENCE now-plan ahead-involve every member.
Draw a diagram of your home. Identify rooms, halls, doors, stairs, windows, and porches (see the sample on the reverse side)
Discuss escape routes from each room and review “SAFETY RULES” on the reverse side of the paper.
Know how to call your FIRE DEPARTMENT for help---9-1-1

PLEASE PARTICIPATE WITH THE FAIRFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CONDUCT YOUR “OPERATION E-D-I-T-H”

SYMBOLS

_______________________________________

Normal Exit Use Black Arrow

Emergency Exit Use Red Arrow

(windows, porch, etc.)

Doors Slant line

Windows Box Marked “W”

Porch Dotted Broken Line

Stairs Several Small Lines

This is a GUIDE to help you.

Draw your own house plan and mark.

SAFETY RULES

KEEP CALM. DO NOT PANIC. THINK!
If you smell smoke, arouse the Family. GET EVERTYONE OUT OF THE HOUSE
CALL your FIRE DEPARTMENT, For all emergencies 9-1-1 or Dial the “OPERATOR” and clearly give ADDRESS, STREET AND TOWN.
Things to keep in mind:

a. Before you open any doors, feel the door with the back of your hand. If door is HOT… Seek another way of escape. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR.

b. If the room is filled with smoke, KEEP CLOSER TO THE FLOOR where you can breathe more easily.

c. Remember …. A porch, balcony, ledge or tree can provide temporary safety.

d. NEVER RE-ENTER A BURNING BUILDING FOR ANYTHING!

PLAN NOW where your family will assemble after evacuating the home. This will help you notify the firefighters that EVERYONE is safe in the event of a real fire.

CHECK “YES” OR “NO” TO THE FOLLOWING CONCERNING YOUR BEDROOM

1. Are there 2 ways of escaping from the room?

2. Can the ground be reached safely from the windows?

3. Is the window large enough to get through?

4. Can the storm window be easily opened from inside?

5. Does the room have a door to close against Smoke or Fire?