BIG THANKS are in order for the 200-plus neighbors who attended this year’s 9/11 Community Breakfast and donated more than $1,600 to benefit the North Kitsap Schools Foundation. We are so honored to have so many friends join together with us in fellowship for a good cause. The firefighters are looking forward to treating you to breakfast again next year …

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WILDFIRE CAN HAPPEN HERE: A rare Phase II outdoor burn ban was imposed on Sept. 15 after several multiple-acre fires broke out in Kitsap County, and resources were increasingly stretched as lightning strikes sparked tens of dangerous fires in Central and Eastern Washington.

Under a Phase II ban, all outdoor fires are prohibited until significant and sustained precipitation reduces fire danger. As of this writing, there is no rain in the long-range forecasts. Please exercise extreme caution with all ignition sources.

To check the status of the outdoor burn ban, check our website at www.nkfr.org or call our outdoor burn information line at (360)297-4888.

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GIVE BURNS THE BOOT: NKF&R firefighters will kick-off National Fire Prevention Week on Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Kingston Albertsons, with their annual drive to benefit the Northwest Burn Foundation.

The foundation helps to prevent scalds and burns with prevention information, and assists burn victims and their families through treatment and recovery. In addition to accepting donations to support this important work, firefighters will have a variety of fire prevention information and materials to share. Stop by.

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“HAVE TWO WAYS OUT!” is the theme of this year’s National Fire Prevention Week and focuses attention on the importance of having a practiced fire escape plan. Although the official observance runs from Oct. 7-13, NKF&R will be highlighting fire escape planning all month long with our annual contest in partnership with schools and preschools. Participating classrooms will receive escape planning blanks and directions. At each school, the classroom turning in the greatest percentage of correct plans will win an ice cream sundae party hosted by NKF&R’s firefighters.

To plan a safe escape, draw a map of your home.  Mark at least two ways out of each room. Choose one meeting place outside the home, and mark it on the plan so everyone will know exactly where to go after making their escape.  Practice the plan at least twice a year with everyone who lives in the home by sounding the smoke alarm; share the plan with all overnight guests.

To print out your own escape planning blank, see our website at www.nkfr.org.

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VOLUNTEER-INTERN ACADEMY 2012 recruits will graduate from their basic firefighting academy in October and join their shifts for further training shortly thereafter.

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FIRST AID and CPR TRAINING: Our instructor has been busy helping fight wildfires in Eastern Washington, so we’ve been unable to set a class date by publication deadline. Check our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nkfire) or give us a call to find out when the next class is scheduled.

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FREE CHILD CAR-SEAT CHECKS take place on the second Saturday of every month at our Paul T. Nichol Headquarters fire station (26642 Miller Bay Road NE near Kingston).  See you in October on the 13th, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

— Michele Laboda is public information officer of North Kitsap Fire & Rescue. Contact her at laboda@nkfr.org.