The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Joey Gase Motorsports are collaborating for the second year to emphasize the importance of fire safety.
This partnership will kick off at the 2024 NASCAR NXS race car event at the Iowa Speedway on Saturday, June 15 at 2:30 p.m.
Sparky the Fire Dog, the official mascot of NFPA, will be present to celebrate with Joey Gase and the fans.
NFPA will also support Gase at additional race events this fall to promote Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 6-12, 2024.
Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA, said: “Our work with Joey last year demonstrated the value and impact of delivering potentially life-saving fire safety messages to thousands of NASCAR fans and surrounding communities.
“We’re thrilled to be joining forces again to further those efforts, beginning with the upcoming event in Iowa, and through other races in the months ahead that will help support Fire Prevention Week, our biggest public awareness campaign of the year.”
U.S. home fires remain a serious threat to people and property.
According to the latest NFPA data, 2022 saw an estimated 360,000 home structure fires resulting in 2,710 civilian deaths, 9,940 injuries, and $10.5 billion in direct property damage.
Iowa experienced an average of 45 fire deaths annually between 2015 and 2019, ranking it 29th among U.S. states for fire deaths.
These statistics highlight the necessity of educating Iowa residents and the broader public on reducing home fire risks and protecting themselves in case of a fire.
Joey Gase, owner and driver for Joey Gase Motorsports, stated: “It’s an honor to work with NFPA and help remind people that home fires can and do still happen, and that they need to be prepared in the event of one.
“I hope that in working together we can motivate people to take action around home fire safety, which includes taking simple but important steps like making sure they have working smoke alarms in their homes and testing them regularly.”
NFPA and Gase will continue their collaboration to support fire safety and the Fire Prevention Week campaign from October 6-12, 2024.
They will be present at upcoming races in Watkins Glen, NY; Talladega, AL; and Charlotte, NC.
Further details about these events and related activities will be announced in the coming months.
Fire Prevention Week, celebrated across the U.S. every October, is the oldest public health observance in the country.
For over a century, Fire Prevention Week has educated people about home fire risks and how to minimize them.
Local fire departments, schools, and community organizations play a vital role in promoting Fire Prevention Week each year by disseminating basic yet essential fire safety messages.
