PACAF stresses fire prevention

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball
  • PACAF Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Pacific Air Forces has developed a fire prevention initiative to take place March 9 to April 17 in response to several recent fires at bases throughout the Pacific.

"We have accepted risk in infrastructure for many years in this command and in the Air Force," said Gen. Howie Chandler, PACAF commander. "However, we will not accept risk in [the] health and safety of our people. It is our responsibility to keep ourselves, our families and our co-workers safe from unnecessary risk."

The PACAF Safety and PACAF Installation and Mission Support offices are coordinating efforts to push the initiative.

"The Installation and Mission Support focus will be facilities that are not compliant with the fire code and the operation and maintenance of alarm systems, fire suppression systems and fire hydrants," said Chief Master Sgt. Troy Edwards, PACAF command fire chief.

PACAF Safety provided Wing Commanders fire safety background information and asked commanders to pass the information along to their base personnel.

In the coming weeks, each Wing Commander will designate a Fire Prevention Week within the initiative timeline. The objectives of the designated week are to increase fire prevention awareness and ensure Airmen inspect both their work centers and home for fire hazards using a fire safety checklist provided by their chain of command.

"We would like each PACAF member to pay particular attention to power cords, power strips and surge protectors," said Col. Russ Quinn, PACAF Director of Safety. "Over time, the electrical cords we use both in our work centers and at home become worn and could present a serious fire hazard."

The most recent fire in the command was caused by a power cord that had become worn after many years of use. The cord overheated and sparked a very significant fire.

"This small piece of equipment, something we all take for granted every day, was the direct cause of a fire that destroyed a 40,000 square foot building," Colonel Quinn said.

PACAF has experienced fire losses both at work and in homes on and off base. The top five causes of fires in PACAF are unattended cooking/cooking related, electrical malfunctions; and improper disposals of smoking materials and candles.

"By providing each Airman a home fire inspection checklist, we sincerely hope to prevent any further fire loss here in PACAF," Colonel Quinn said. "Focusing now on education and risk mitigation is an investment that will enhance the safety of our Airmen, their families and our infrastructure."