Victoria Fire Department Fire Marshal Annette V. Ponce appeared on the City of Victoria’s Town Talk podcast to discuss the fire department’s outreach programs and share fire safety tips.
As the head of the Fire Marshal’s Office within the Victoria Fire Department, Ponce oversees a team of fire inspectors who work to ensure compliance with fire codes and educate residents about how to protect themselves and their property.
One of the department’s outreach initiative aims to protect residents by putting working smoke detectors in every home in Victoria. Residents can request a smoke detector by calling the Fire Marshal’s Office at 361-485-3460 or visiting www.victoriatx.gov/fire.
“We believe that everyone in the City of Victoria should have smoke detectors, and everyone should take advantage of this program, because the program is free,” Ponce said. “All they have to do is call our office, schedule an appointment—we’ll go.”
Next week, the Victoria Fire Department will bring its message of fire safety to Victoria’s youngest residents at the department’s annual Fire Prevention Show. This year, the Victoria Fire Department is teaming up with SpongeBob and his friends to teach kids about an often-overlooked fire hazard: lithium-ion batteries.
“Most everything has a lithium battery—our cell phones, our laptops, toys, scooters,” Ponce said. “I’m really glad to see that we’re actually honing in on that specific safety measure because I don’t think people realize that these batteries can really cause damage.”
The department will host shows for Victoria ISD students on Oct. 7 and 8; then, on Oct. 9 at 9 a.m., the public is invited to the Victoria Fine Arts Center to learn about lithium-ion battery safety together.
Ponce emphasized that teaching children about fire safety is a core responsibility that starts in the home. She encouraged parents and caregivers to conduct fire drills at home and to teach kids that when they hear a smoke alarm, they need to get out as quickly as possible.
To learn more, watch or listen to the latest episode of Town Talk on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).