Fire Prevention Week: Don’t get burned! Published Oct. 4, 2009 By Fire Prevention Office Staff 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Monday marks the start of Fire Prevention Week. Here in Southwest Asia, fire safety plays an important role in daily operations, not only to ensure mission continuation but to ensure property and lives are protected from the dangers of smoke and fire. Below are some key areas that must be observed and practiced by all base personnel. Smoking Safety Smoking is permitted in designated smoking areas only. Designated smoking and tobacco use areas will be marked with a sign stating "Approved Smoking and Tobacco Use Area by Order of the Wing Commander." Smoking is not permitted in or within 25 feet of any facility, or 50 feet of a hangar, aircraft, repair dock, paint shops, gasoline storage, servicing areas, maintenance shops, or other similarly hazardous locations unless designated in writing and approved by the fire prevention office. Facility and building managers are responsible for ensuring an approved metal container with a self-closing lid, or a receptacle designed for such material, stenciled "SMOKING MATERIALS ONLY" is available in designated smoking areas. When these containers become half full, the contents will be thoroughly soaked for no less than 15 minutes, placed in a sealed bag and discarded in a trash can or dumpster. Electrical Safety Surge protectors: The piggybacking or daisy-chaining of relocatable power taps, multiple outlet adapters or surge protectors is not permitted. An RPT is defined as having multiple receptacles, an on-off switch, a circuit breaker, and a grounded power cord. All RPTs are to be directly connected to a permanently installed branch receptacle. Extension cords: Extension cords or flexible electrical wiring will not be used as a sub-stitute for permanent wiring in the structure, run through holes in walls, ceilings or floors, run through doorways, windows or similar openings, or be concealed behind building walls, ceiling, floors, or under carpeting. Electrically operated air fresheners: The use of plug-in or other electrically operated air fresheners is prohibited in all facilities. Battery operated or cartridge type air fresheners are authorized. Candles: The burning of candles, incense or any other open flame is prohibited. Calling 911 If you smell or see smoke or fire, call 9-1-1 from any base phone to reach the fire department. Evacuate the facility, activate the pull station and yell "fire, fire, fire." If the only means of communication is a cell phone, call 458-9511. Caller should provide the 9-1-1 dispatcher with the pertinent information, including who you are, where the emergency is taking place and the nature of the emergency. The Fire Department is asking for everyone's help. Fire Safety is everyone's responsibility. Everyone must use their eyes and ears to always be on the lookout for smoke or fire but, more importantly, everyone must be on the lookout for fire hazards. If hazards can be eliminated, fires are kept from occurring in the first place. Fire Prevention Week will conclude with a Fire Muster held Oct. 11 at the CC basketball courts starting at 10 a.m. Four-person teams will compete in a series of events including a fire foam carry, hand-over-hand fire hose roll pull, serpentine dummy drag, tire sledge, hose roll out and roll up, hose pack carry, a charged hose advance and target knockdown, and finally a team bucket brigade. To sign up for the Fire Muster, call Tech. Sgt. John Serrato at 437-8771.