How tips from the Jackson Fire Department’s ‘Project ESCAPE’ can save lives

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Jackson Fire Department has a new project called E.S.C.A.P.E. helping to provide crucial assistance during emergencies and save lives.

The project is designed to help take immediate action during a home fire and help reduce injuries. The Jackson Fire Department’s Project E.S.C.A.P.E. has been in the works for several years.

The acronym E.S.C.A.P.E. stands for Every Second Counts Action Purpose and Efficiency.

The department’s project was based on research and from analyzing data individuals are more likely to be injured in a house fire. According to this data, out of 1,000 fires that occur 250 citizens are likely to perish in the fire.

Years back people had 17 minutes to escape a fire, but now that time is cut short.

Chief Don Friddle with the Jackson Fire Department says home fires can now become deadly within 3-4 minutes and he explains how to survive them.

“Your plan a is obviously to get out using any of the exterior doors that you come in and out of at your home. Plan B is to go to a remote room, shut the door behind you and go out the window. Plan C is if you can’t get out the window is to go to a remote room shut the door and stand by the window,” said Chief Friddle.

He also says it is important to have an escape plan and working smoke alarms to survive fires.

“That’s having a working smoke alarm and having an escape plan. When people have those two things together, their chances of survival goes up tremendously to 95%,” said Chief Friddle.

Chief Friddle explains it is best to isolate yourself from a fire by closing the door. JFD has saved more lives within the past 5 years and they hope to save more with the addition of this new project.

The Jackson Fire Department offers help on drafting a home escape plan and if you are interested you can call the fire department at 731-425-8350.

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