When a fire strikes, a home or area could be engulfed in smoke and flames in just a few moments. What if your first escape route is blocked by flames? What should you do to get help? Have you developed a fire safety checklist?

To kick off National Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 7 through 13, the Monroe County Volunteer Fire Fighters Association will hold open houses at each of the 18 volunteer fire department locations in the county on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"Every volunteer fire department in the county is going to open their doors at the same time," said Todd Torbett, president of the Monroe County Volunteer Fire Fighters Association.

This is the first year the volunteer fire departments are opening their doors at the same time for citizens.

"We're starting small and hopefully we will keep adding to it every year," said Torbett.

See full story in the Wednesday, Oct. 3, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.