By Jeffrey Thompson, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner, and Jennifer Graham, CEO, American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania

Nearly three-quarters of Philadelphians believe they’re prepared for a home fire. However, a recent survey commissioned by the American Red Cross found that more than half don’t have a home fire escape plan, and only 6% have ever practiced one. That disconnect matters. The most common thing we hear after a home fire isn’t, “I wasn’t prepared.” We hear, “I didn’t think this would happen to me.”

From our different roles, we see the gap between confidence and preparedness play out across Philadelphia every day.  The Philadelphia Fire Department responds to emergencies, and the Red Cross helps families navigate what comes next.

We’ve both witnessed those moments in the middle of the night. Families standing outside in pajamas. Children wrapped in blankets. Neighbors gathering on sidewalks trying to understand what happened. Firefighters moving quickly to ensure all people and pets are accounted for. And when the smoke begins to clear, Red Cross volunteers arriving with comfort, support and a plan for recovery.

Too often, preparedness is viewed through the lens of fear. We see it differently. Preparedness is an act of care. It’s making sure your children know how to get out safely if an alarm sounds in the middle of the night. It’s checking that your parents and grandparents have working smoke alarms. It’s taking a few minutes today to protect the people you love tomorrow.

Being prepared isn’t a moment in time. It’s a commitment. That’s why Fire Prevention Week is about more than fire safety tips. It’s about building a culture of preparedness across Philadelphia. A fire-resilient city isn’t defined solely by how effectively it responds to emergencies. It’s defined by how well residents prepare for them, how communities support one another afterward and how committed all of us are to preventing tragedy before it happens.

We often think about preparedness and recovery as the bookends of emergency response. On one end is prevention: smoke alarms, escape plans and education that can save lives before a fire occurs. In the middle are the first responders who answer the call when every second matters. On the other end is recovery: helping families find shelter, replace essentials and begin rebuilding after one of the worst days of their lives. A safer Philadelphia requires all three.

This Fire Prevention Week, we’re asking Philadelphians to take four simple, lifesaving actions:

• Test your smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. They provide the critical warning families need to escape. Test them monthly, replace batteries as needed and make sure alarms are installed on every level of your home and inside every bedroom. Philadelphia residents can call 3-1-1 to request free smoke alarm installation.

• Create a two-minute home fire escape plan. Many people are surprised to learn they may have as little as two minutes to escape safely after a smoke alarm sounds. Every household should identify at least two ways out of each room, establish an outdoor meeting place and make sure everyone knows the plan.

• Practice your escape plan. Having a plan on paper isn’t enough. Walk through it with your family. Practice different escape routes. Make sure children, older adults and anyone with mobility challenges know what to do. When seconds count, preparation helps replace panic with action.

• Follow lithium-ion battery safety guidance. As lithium-ion batteries become more common in phones, laptops, e-bikes and other everyday devices, they are also becoming a growing source of fires. Use manufacturer-approved chargers, charge devices on hard, flat surfaces in plain sight, avoid charging overnight and dispose of damaged or aging batteries properly. Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries can spread quickly, burn hotter and are difficult to extinguish.

What does a fire-resilient Philadelphia look like? It’s a city where every home has working smoke alarms. Where families have practiced escape plans and know exactly what to do when alarms sound. Where neighbors share fire safety information and residents understand emerging risks. It’s also a city where recovery support is quick, compassionate and supported by strong partnerships across the City.

Most of all, it’s a city where fewer families experience the heartbreak of losing a loved one to fire. That’s our shared goal: zero fire fatalities in Philadelphia. Every smoke alarm tested, every escape plan practiced and every conversation about fire safety brings us closer. Fire resilience isn’t built in a moment of crisis. It’s built in the moments before one.