Photo By Cpl. Timothy Norris | Lance Cpl. Elder Orellana, a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 airframer from...... read more read more
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BEAUFORT, S.C. - Marines and civilians aboard the Air Station became fire wardens after completing a certification course at the Air Station Structural Fire and Emergency Services Department, July 19.
Fire wardens assist the installation fire inspectors by inspecting and enforcing the day to day fire prevention regulations within their designated building and facilities.
“This program helps us because we only have three fire inspectors and we have hundreds of buildings to inspect,” said Charles Cox, a fire department fire inspector. “When we do an inspection it makes our job easier knowing that all these things are being done for us monthly as opposed to yearly.”
The two hour course teaches participants fire prevention in the workplace by focusing on fire hazard prevention, evacuation planning, and proper storage of materials. They also are taught how to properly extinguish small fires.
Fire wardens routinely inspect the building they work in for fire hazards and resolve discrepancies. They also ensure emergency devices such as lights, exit signs, smoke detectors and extinguishers are operational.
Every building on Marine Corps installations are required to have a fire warden according to Marine Corps Order 11000.11. Some buildings have several wardens to keep their Marines prepared and informed.
Cpl. Pamela Lombardi, a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 aircraft intermediate level structures mechanic, volunteered for the course so she could maintain a safe work environment.
“We’re very safety conscious because we work with a lot of flammable materials,” Lombardi said. “So fire safety is a main concern. The course has provided a lot of necessary information and we continually educate each other on fire safety.”
The fire inspectors also expressed that classroom education alone is not enough. The course finishes with practical application extinguishing various classes of fire with a fire simulator.
“Years ago we took them outside and made a fire for them to discharge a fire extinguisher,” Cox said. “Technology has caught up with us and we now have a virtual fire extinguisher where they can actually practice putting out different classes of fire.”
The Air Station has potential for every class of fire in various places, so wardens must be prepared for each of them regardless of where they work. Burning materials such as wood, paper, cloth or cardboard is a class A fire. Class B is caused by combustible liquids and gasses. Energized electrical equipment causes a Class C fire while combustible metals are a Class D fire. Cooking oils and fats cause a Class K fire.
After the embers die down the fire wardens return to their workplace with new responsibilities and knowledge of fire prevention for their coworkers and fellow Marines.
Cox explained since there were very few fire hazards over the last several years aboard the Air Station it is hard to track the success of the program, saying you never know if your actions prevent a fire.
“All we know is we haven’t had any fires. So we must be doing something right,” he concluded.
| Date Taken: | 07.19.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2013 14:35 |
| Story ID: | 111811 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 112 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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