Wayne Goodwin for NC Insurance Commissioner

Educating the public about fire prevention is a priority goal for North Carolina's elected Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.

In his dual role as State Fire Marshal, Goodwin has traveled all across the state meeting with school children, first responders, civic and political leaders, and business owners.

For example, in early October Goodwin visited with fire department members in Lenoir.  Then a few days later Commissioner Goodwin attended the 9th annual Cumberland County Fire Prevention Day in Fayetteville.  Joining him were his toddler son, Jackson, a great fan of anything to do with the fire and rescue services, and Jan Parker, formerly with the Raleigh Fire Department and now with the Office of State Fire Marshal.

Later, in partnership with the NC Department of Cultural Resources, he led off a press conference and observed the chimney sweeping at the historic Tryon Palace in New Bern. "If there'd been a State Fire Marshal back then, the palace wouldn't have burned down in 1798," Goodwin quipped.

"My family and I will be practicing our family fire drill at home this Wednesday, and I encourage all North Carolinians to do the same with their families," said Goodwin. "Fire Prevention Week is a great time for everyone in the family to learn skills that will help them prevent fires all year long and escape a fire safely."

According to a National Fire Protection Association survey, less than 25 percent of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. And only 8 percent of Americans said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out of the house.

To learn more about this topic, go to this link for the official public press release from the Department of Insurance.