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Expeditionary group celebrates Fire Prevention Week

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kurt J. Trausch
  • 64th Expeditionary Support Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 64th Air Expeditionary Group recently took part in the National Fire Protection Association's fire prevention week campaign from Oct. 6 - 12. This year's theme was "Get cookin' with fire safety - prevent kitchen fires!"

"The theme for this year was on spot on," said Master Sgt. Tyler Carpenter, the 64th Expeditionary Support Squadron fire chief deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and a Grand Rapids, Mich., native. "Statistics show most fires in the home start in the kitchen. Placing emphasis on this allows us to better educate and ensure sound fire prevention practices are in place. In the event a fire should occur, the occupants will have a better understanding of what actions to take."

The 64th AEG Fire and Emergency Services section organized and hosted the annual week of events, which kicked-off with Col. Gregory Anderson, the 64th AEG commander, signing the proclamation letter declaring Fire Prevention Week had begun.

Daily events showcased several aspects of fire prevention, raising awareness to the nearly 1,200 people on base. Additionally, a continuous information display at the dining facility outlined proper extinguishing methods for kitchen fires.

The fire department also held live fire extinguisher training over two different periods, teaching proper extinguishing techniques to more than 50 individuals.

"My takeaway from live fire training was the reinforcement of the fire extinguisher training acronym P.A.S.S [pull, aim, squeeze and sweep] and the different classes of fire extinguishers," said Staff Sgt. Minerva Rosario, the 64th ESS plans and programs NCO in charge deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and a New York City native. "Having actual hands-on training with an extinguisher, as opposed to computer based training, gives you a sense of actual preparation."

On the final day, the fire department hosted a fire muster challenge in which four teams competed for prizes donated by Army Air Force Exchange Service. The challenge was a timed team completion, which included everything from donning the bunker gear to pulling a 45,000-pound tanker truck. This event was a very successful close to a week of fire prevention awareness.

"Fire prevention week is very important because it allows us to reach out to the base populace and stress the importance of fire prevention in the workplace and home," said Carpenter.