Nebraska City gears up for fire safety festival

NEBRASKA CITY- Mayor Bryan Bequette proclaimed fire prevention week at Monday’s meeting.

Firefighter Mike Lollman thanked the community for financial donations in support of the fire prevention festival, which is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting.

Lollman, a third-generation volunteer, said his grandfather Gene joined the fire department in 1935 and served 42 years. His uncles Bob and Tom Schreiner joined in 1960. His cousin Rob Schreiner is currently the fire chief. His brother Jeff is also currently a volunteer firefighter.

Lollman: “It was known growing up that family events were often interrupted by pagers on the hips and you better not park behind us.”

As a first grade student at Lourdes, he witnessed firefighter and PE teacher Bernard Geshcke, who helped establish a fire prevention program in town. He said students were delighted to get sprayed from a pumper truck, but teachers were less pleased.

Lollman: “In our community fire prevention is not just about saving buildings, but about saving lives, neighbors and the very heart of what makes home home.”

 

Fire Prevention Week Proclamation

WHEREAS, the City of Nebraska City is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our city;  and

WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and

WHEREAS, home fires cause on average, the deaths of seven people per day or 2,620 civilian deaths each year, and fire departments in the United States responded to 356,500 home fires; and

WHEREAS, smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger in the event of fire in which you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely; and

WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half; and

WHEREAS, City of Nebraska City residents should be sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond; and

WHEREAS, City of Nebraska City residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and

WHEREAS, City of Nebraska City residents will make sure their smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all their family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities; and

WHEREAS, City of Nebraska City first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and

WHEREAS, City of Nebraska City residents are responsive to public education measures are better able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and

WHEREAS, the 2025 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” effectively serves to remind Nebraska City residents to observe fire safety practices.

THEREFORE, I Bryan Bequette, Mayor of the City of Nebraska City do hereby proclaim October5-11, 2025, as Fire Prevention Week throughout this City, and I urge all the people of Nebraska City to plan and practice a home fire escape for Fire Prevention Week 2025and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Nebraska City fire and emergency services