Fire Prevention Week across the nation is being observed from Sunday, Oct. 9^th through Saturday, Oct. 15^th. The theme for this year’s event is “Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.” The Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department kicks off the annual observance with a free-will donation breakfast Sunday morning at the fire station. Fire Captain Tom Cappel says the event runs from 7-a.m. until Noon. (Click on the left side of the audio bars below to listen)

(Cappel says they’ll be serving eggs, sausage, pancakes, juice and coffee. Then at 10-a.m. the Midwest Med-Air helicopter will land at the fire station. Everyone is welcome to check out the chopper and equipment at the fire station.)

The donation breakfast helps with Fire Prevention and Education efforts at schools and elsewhere, and ties in with this year’s theme of Fire Prevention Week, which reminds you to replace your smoke alarms every 10 years.

Firefighters will of course, be on-hand to show off their equipment and answer questions. Cappel says the department’s members are always training for safety and certification.

The big event coming-up at the end of the week is the Annual Fireman’s Picnic and Parade, on Oct. 15^th in downtown Atlantic. A picnic in the Atlantic City Park starts at 4-p.m. and includes clowns, face painters, bounce houses, a photo booth and much more. LifeNet will land at 5-p.m., as well. In addition the Sheltered Reality Drum Corps and Pleasant Green Baptist Church Marching Saints will perform.

A meal will be available for $7 in the park, and the parade starts at 6-p.m. For more information, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or any Atlantic Firefighter.