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On Thursday, October 11, 2007 between 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. the fire departments of Ontario challenge every principal, custodian, volunteer, teacher and student to participate in the world's largest school fire drill. This province-wide fire drill is being organized to increase public fire safety awareness and to encourage children to practice home escape plans.

Supported with in-class materials developed through the Ontario Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council, this provincial initiative is a simple way that Ontario's Fire Departments and schools can work together to ensure that fire safety is brought to the forefront in Ontario, at least for a day.

Participating schools will be eligible to win prizes: $1,000 as the 1st prize, $500 as the 2nd prize, and $250 as the 3rd prize. In addition, the winning school's fire department will receive free educational materials valued at the same amount.

Planning and practicing school fire drills have been proven to help save lives! Children learn the fire safety lesson at school and then take the knowledge home with them helping to educate members of their own family on fire prevention. Students will take the message of practicing a fire drill to their homes at night and in turn may discuss or practice their own "home" fire drill.

In the last five years alone, 532 lives were lost to fire in Ontario. Conducting a fire drill will heighten the awareness of fire safety to both your staff and students.

It is a fun way to complete just one of three Ontario Fire Code mandated fall school fire drills!

How To Participate In This Challenge

1. Inform staff that the school has been challenged by Ontario's Fire Fighters to host a school wide fire drill during Fire Prevention Week.

2. Include fire safety messages in the morning announcements during National Fire Prevention Week held October 7-13, 2007.

3. Every day as part of your announcement, please advise the students to visit the Kid's Corner to win valuable prizes.
   1. Tuesday: It's Fire Prevention Week and our firefighters want you to know that smoke alarms save lives. Tonight, with a grown-up, check that the batteries in your smoke alarm are working and help keep your family safe!

   2. Wednesday: It's Fire Prevention Week and our firefighters want to remind each of us to plan and practice our home fire escape plan so that we know what to do to get out safely in the event of a fire in our home.

   3. Thursday: It's Fire Prevention Week and our firefighters want to remind each of us that when fire strikes, remember your escape plan and get out and stay out! Never go back inside. Go to your meeting place.

   4. Friday: It's Fire Prevention Week and our firefighters want to remind each of us that in the event of fire in your home, crawl low under smoke where the fresh air is and get out and stay out! Never go back inside. Go to your meeting place.

4. Host one of three mandated Ontario Fire Code fall fire drills on October 11, 2007 between 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

5. Register school participation at www.firesafetycouncil.com by clicking on the "World's Largest School Fire Drill" icon by the end of the day on October 11, 2007 to be eligible for the 3 random draws - 1st prize - $1,000, 2nd prize - $500 and 3rd prize - $250. Bonus! The winning school's fire department will receive free educational materials valued at the same amount.