So you want to be a firefighter?

“The Seniors,” consisting of Lt. Col. Michael Vecera, Carl Voglewede, Senior Master Sgt. Deborah Hollis and Lt. Col. Arthur Primas, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing staff carry a litter with a "patient" through a maze of cones during the Fire Muster Competition Oct. 9, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The litter carry was one of three team events for the Fire Muster, a culmination of Fire Prevention Week events from Oct. 3-10. “The Seniors” won this team event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)

So you want to be a firefighter?

Senior Airman Nathan Krajcirik, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management technician, drags a 70-pound dummy in the individual competition of the Fire Muster Competition Oct. 9, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Fire Muster, a culmination of Fire Prevention week events from Oct. 3-10, lets non-firefighters know what it is like to be a firefighter, while at the same time promoting safety and fire prevention. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)

So you want to be a firefighter?

“The A-Team” (left) struggles against “The Seniors” in a wet, reverse tug-of-war competition during the Fire Muster Competition Oct. 9, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Tug of war was one of three events in the team competition, with two out of three events won by “The Seniors.” The Fire Muster, a culmination of Fire Prevention week events from Oct. 3-10, lets non-firefighters know what it is like to be a firefighter, while at the same time promoting safety and fire prevention. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)

Balad wraps up Fire Prevention Week

Published Oct. 13, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Stacy Fowler
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Firefighter lore asserts that in October 1871, a cow kicked over a lantern and caused the cataclysmic "Great Chicago Fire," which raged from Oct. 8-10, 1871, killing about 250 people and destroying four square miles of Chicago.

Whether or not the "cow" rumor is true, according to the National Fire Prevention Association, it still made people think about fire safety. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, "Fire Prevention Week" has been observed on the Sunday to Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls.

To celebrate FPW at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire Department conducted fire extinguisher training sessions, vehicle extrication and fire demonstrations. A Fire Muster Competition capped off the week's events, bringing attention to fire prevention and fire safety on base.

While FPW gives the Balad Fire Department's firefighters an opportunity to showcase their capabilities, it is also a chance to address local fire and safety concerns to a captive audience - especially when the hoses are running and the sirens start to wail.

"FPW helps the Fire Department get the word out about fire prevention in a fun way, rather than with another 'death by PowerPoint' briefing," said Master Sgt. Scott Highland, 332 ECES Fire Department Fire Prevention Office. "People tend to look toward the smoke, fire and sound of sirens. FPW allows us to get people's attention and give them some entertainment while at the same time teaching them that fire is not something you want to play with."

The Fire Department responds to fires in living areas and work areas every day, said Sergeant Highland, a native of Cheyenne, Wyo., deployed from Wyoming Municipal Airport Air National Guard, Wyo. According to the NFPA, electrical failures or malfunctions are factors in roughly 50,000 reported fires each year. That trend seems to hold true here at JBB. Of the recent fires reported, a majority have been determined to related to some type of electrical problem.

"Keep your living and working areas clean," said Sergeant Highland. "Ensure that you do not allow items to pile up around outlets or surge protectors. Examine your electrical equipment and look for the 'CE' or 'UL' stamp; if it does not have one, contact the Fire Department or 332 ECES Self Help Office to exchange it. Do not overload your circuits; electrical circuits are rated for certain amperage. When overloaded, it increases the risk of a fire. Also, ensure that your smoke detectors and extinguishers are in proper working order."

So just because there aren't any cows roaming around Balad to kick over lanterns, it doesn't mean that a potentially devastating fire couldn't occur from other means - such as one overlooked daisy-chain of power strips.

"After a fire has destroyed your belongings, it is too late to start asking 'why?'" said Sergeant Highland. "Be proactive - fire prevention just takes a little common sense."