Fire Prevention Week: rekindling awareness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lausanne Pacheco
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  With eight fire incidents in base housing this year, Little Rock Air Force Base fire fighters are hoping to rekindle fire awareness during Fire Prevention Week next week. 

The 19th Civil Engineer Squadron is planning several events designed to educate base Airmen and families regarding fire prevention. 

"This year's theme is 'Stay fire smart! Don't get burned,'" said Joe Willett, 19 CES assistant chief of prevention. "Our leading cause of fires on base is unattended cooking."
Mr. Willett said this year's theme will focus on prevention of painful burns, such as using pot holders when cooking.

Starting Monday, fire fighters will hand out fire prevention materials and fire trucks will be on display at several different locations on base for tours, tool demonstrations and other activities. 

Fire safety lectures and movies will also be showing in the ballroom of Bldg. 848. 

One of the locations Thursday will be Arnold Drive Elementary School where each student will be given a fire prevention package. 

"It is very important to also familiarize the kids," said Airman 1st Class Andrew Sloan, 19th CES firefighter. "We teach them not to be afraid and show them how to handle certain situations in case of a fire." 

Good housekeeping at home and in the work place is another element in fire prevention.
"Keep the workplace orderly and clean of clutter," said Mr. Willett. He also recommended knowing the locations of fire extinguishers at home and in the work place. 

Along with equipping base employees with the knowledge and tools to help avoid fire related incidents, fire drills will be conducted in various dormitories, facilities and Army and Air Force Exchange Service businesses. 

"The goal is to lessen the chance of unwanted fires and to think fire prevention, making it a part of daily activity," Mr. Willett said.