MPS students and local dignitaries will celebrate National Fire Prevention Week at Milwaukee's Survive Alive House, 2059 S. 20th St., during the 2008 Fire Prevention Kick-off on Monday, October 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This year's theme is "Prevent Home Fires." Students from Garland School will join the celebration with Mayor Tom Barrett, Fire Chief Douglas Holton, MPS Superintendent William Andrekopoulos, the Survive Alive Foundation board, and other city officials. At 10:30 a.m., the students will learn to escape from a "burning" house. A news conference will begin at 12:30 p.m.

"This annual event helps to remind us all about the importance of fire safety, smoke detectors, and practicing a home fire escape plan," says Milwaukee Fire Department Lieutenant and Survive Alive House Director Mark Grade. "The main purpose of this event is to promote fire safety and prevention while celebrating the success of Milwaukee's Survive Alive Program."

Milwaukee's Survive Alive House is governed by the Survive Alive Foundation and jointly managed by the Milwaukee Fire Department and Milwaukee Public Schools. Every second and fifth grader in MPS visits the Survive Alive House each year, and over 200,000 children have experienced the fire safety program since its inception in 1992. As a result, Milwaukee's fire-related fatalities amongst school-aged children have decreased dramatically in the past fifteen years.