CES stresses the importance of fire prevention

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  In 2010, more than one million fires claimed approximately 3,000 lives, injured nearly 18,000 and caused more than $11 million in damage costs, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Of these, approximately 384,000 were residential fires, any number of which could have been prevented, according to the NFPA.

"Fire prevention helps us fix potential problems before they occur, ultimately minimizing the chance for property loss, personnel injury or even loss of life," said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Riehle, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department deputy fire chief. "By keeping safety and fire prevention at the forefront of each person's mind, here at Yokota and elsewhere, We all win."

Established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres, on Oct. 8-9, 1871.

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first proclamation establishing Oct. 9 as National Fire Prevention Day. In 1922, the observance was expanded to Fire Prevention Week, encompassing the entire week on which Oct. 9 falls. According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

"Fire Prevention Week is important because it allows me to educate the public and give them safety tips on ways to be safe and not start a fire," said Staff Sgt. Justin Walker, 374th CES fire department fire inspector. "We are able to strictly focus on safety and prevention steps for people to follow throughout the year to keep themselves and their family safe."

This year's Fire Prevention Week theme, "Protect Your Family from Fire," encourages base workers and residents to promote fire prevention awareness both inside and outside the home, keeping their families and community safe from fire.

Easy fire prevention steps advocated by the 374th CES include:

· Installing Smoke alarms, checking them once a month and changing batteries annually.
· Using a proper candleholder and keeping candles away from flammable objects.
· Give space heaters the space directed on the manufacturers warning label (typically three feet in all directions).
· Check electrical cords to ensure that they are in working order, replacing any that are worn.
· Never leave a hot stove or other cooking utilities unattended!

"One common trend we see on-base and in the states is unattended cooking," said Walker. "Lots of people don't realize that once you start cooking you are never to leave your food on the stove, because all it takes is a couple of minutes for a fire to start."
Fire prevention isn't just an adult responsibility. Riehle says it's best to start education early, and the fire department visits children to do just that.

"Our firefighters leap at the opportunity to visit school aged children, teaching the importance of fire safety," he said. "We do so by incorporating a number of fun-filled activities that tend to get their attention."

"Sparky" the fire dog normally makes a visit to the delight of almost all kids, with talks about general fire safety and evacuation procedures along with "Stop, Drop and Roll" techniques.

"In addition, we normally suit up a firefighter in protective equipment to show the kids what we look like in full gear so there's no mistaking us for 'monster' like figures," said Riehle. "Children sometimes become scared when seeing us in full response gear and the last thing we want is for a child to hide from us during a hazardous situation like a fire."

Education on fire prevention is just the first part of the equation. Each household should have an emergency escape plan to follow in case of fire, said Walker. The plan should be practiced at least twice a year.

As a result of sound fire prevention awareness and practices Yokota is enjoying the lowest fire loss rate in over ten years according to the Yokota Fire Department. In fact, the base has not had a single reportable fire this calendar year.

"We are extremely proud of Team Yokota from a fire safety standpoint," said Riehle. "Saying that, it's important for folks to understand that an awesome track record does not prevent fires, people do! So we ask for folks to continue their safe practices and challenge everybody to make it an even safer environment, both in the workplace and at home."