Gunfighters learn fire safety during Fire Prevention Week
By Airman Chester Mientkiewicz, 366 Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published October 08, 2015
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --
Airmen from the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron highlighted smoke detector use during National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 5-9 here.
This year's theme is "hear the beep where you sleep."
"Our main goal this week is to teach people to have a working fire alarm in each bedroom in the house and every floor," said Staff Sgt. Derek Hansen, 366th CES firefighter. "We try to reach the whole base populace."
National Fire Prevention Week was created in 1925 by president Calvin Coolidge to help prevent fire deaths. It commemorates the Chicago fire of 1871 which killed more than 250 people.
The observance featured several events throughout the week to teach fire safety to airmen and their families. Exercises included a fire extinguisher trainer, smoke maze, grease stove fire display and more.
Firefighters and Sparky the Dog visited the elementary school on base.
"Most kids are excited to see Sparky," said Hansen. "The goal is to teach them when they're young."
Many of the graphics and training materials for Fire Prevention week were provided by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center. AFCEC personnel said their goal is to make a safer Air Force.
"At AFCEC, our goal is to directly support base level fire departments during Fire Prevention Week," said Master Sgt. Niels Roorda, fire emergency services program manager for AFCEC. "It's an opportunity for the departments to showcase and educate the community they serve by sharing life-saving information.
For more information on on National Fire Prevention Week, visit the AFCEC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AirForceCE or the NFPA event website at www.firepreventionweek.org.