Owensboro fire officials mark Firefighter Appreciation Month and stress smoke-detector checks, lithium-ion battery safety

The Owensboro Fire Department presented a proclamation marking October as Firefighter Appreciation Month and reviewed Fire Prevention Week activities at the City Commission meeting on Oct. 21.

Deputy Fire Marshal Brian Roberts described outreach to public schools during Fire Prevention Week, where firefighters taught second graders to recognize smoke-alarm sounds, practice meeting-place plans, call 911 and rehearse stop-drop-and-roll. Roberts said the program has roots in a long-standing school outreach effort begun by a retired fire marshal and that department personnel and volunteers staffed demonstrations for students.

Roberts stressed working smoke detectors and urged residents to check alarms at home. He said roughly 3,500 to 4,000 people die in U.S. fires each year and that many of those fatalities involve homes without functioning smoke alarms. He offered the department’s help replacing detectors and said the American Red Cross has provided detectors for door-to-door distribution in past neighborhood campaigns.

Roberts also highlighted the 2025 National Fire Protection Association theme focused on hazards from lithium-ion batteries, noting that rechargeable devices such as power tools, lawn equipment and consumer electronics require attention to listed products, proper charging practices and recycling to reduce fire risk.

Victor, identified in the meeting as the department’s firefighter of the year, participated in the presentation and demonstrations. Roberts said the department continues a contest to redesign its logo, which is open to all community members.

The commission accepted the proclamation and acknowledged the department’s outreach work; no formal action beyond the proclamation was required.