Page 14 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, Nov. 2, 2018

14 November 2018 Desert Lightning News www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
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Fire prevention week teaches valuable skills
Story and photos by Airman 1st Class MICHAEL BEYER
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Firefighters from the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron taught members of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base community essential skills that could prove invaluable in the event of a home fire, as part of National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8 through 12 at D-M AFB.
This year’s fire prevention cam- paign was “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” which is designed to educate the public on basic skills that can be employed to escape a fire.
“Working in the fire service for many years, we know that people often make choices in fire situations that jeopardize them, their safety or even cost them their lives,” said Raymond LeClair, 355th CES as- sistant chief for fire prevention. “We need to do a better job of teaching people about potentially life-saving escape planning, and helping them practice can motivate them to take action.”
While everyone can learn from Fire Prevention Week, most of what is taught is aimed at children, so they can develop lifelong skills to benefit them in case they encounter a fire.
“The most important thing is teaching them what to do when a fire occurs ... get out and call 9-1- 1,” said Airman 1st Class Jordan Speakman, 355th CES firefighter. “Know at least two ways out.”
Although people feel safest at home, it is also where they are at the greatest risk to fire, with four out of five U.S. fire deaths occur- ring there.
To combat this perception of safe- ty, Fire Prevention Week hopes to challenge peoples’ existing escape plans and if they’re found lacking, help them to develop new ones.
Staff Sgt. Toby Moone, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, puts a flame-retardant firefighter jacket on a child Oct. 11 during Fire Prevention Week. This year’s fire prevention campaign was “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” and was de- signed to educate the public on basic skills that can be employed to escape a fire.
Joseph Nix, 355th CES fire inspector, demonstrates fire extinguisher techniques to Airman 1st Class Jordan Speakman, 355th CES firefighter, shows firefighting equip- children during Fire Prevention Week. ment to children Oct. 11 during Fire Prevention Week at D-M AFB.