Commanders unite in support of Fire Prevention Week

Photo By 1st Lt. Nathan Lavy | Tech. Sgt. Michael Champion, assistant chief of fire prevention with the 407th Air Expeditionary Group, and a Lansing, Mich. native, spoke to senior commanders, airmen and soldiers about the significance of a joint Fire Prevention Proclamation Oct. 4 during Fire Prevention Week at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

10.04.2010

Story by 1st Lt. Nathan Lavy 

224th Sustainment Brigade

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — Col. Lisa Costanza, commander of the 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), a Long Beach, Calif., native, and Col. James Linder, commander of the 407th Air Expeditionary Group, and a Satellite Beach, Fla., native, signed a Joint Fire Prevention Proclamation Oct. 4 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.

By signing the joint proclamation, the senior commanders reinforce to soldiers, airmen and residents of COB Adder that they are committed to the safety and security of all those living and visiting there. The purpose of Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 3-9, is to reduce the occurrence of fires, fire-related deaths, and injuries through prevention and proper education.

“The Army and Air Force teaming up in support of Fire Prevention Week shows a unified effort in the prevention of fires,” said Costanza. “As in all things in the current operational environment, when units team up, wonderful things can happen,” she explained.

Linder said that the joint venture is important because fire awareness is critical to all members of COB Adder. “If you consider how dry everything is here, you realize it is all kindling,” he said. “Everything in your CHU can be ablaze in seconds. We have the responsibility of taking care of our resources; the most important one is our people.”

A leading advocate and promoter of fire prevention week, Tech. Sgt. Michael Champion, assistant chief of fire prevention with the 407th AEG, and a Lansing, Mich. native, spoke to the Airmen and Soldiers in attendance about the significance of the proclamation.

“Fire Prevention Week originated from the Great Chicago fire in 1871, where much of the city burned,” said Champion.

Fire Prevention Week was established in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire. It runs every year during the second week of October.

Staff Sgt. Michael Osada, a fire inspector noncommissioned officer in charge with the 407th AEG, and a Guam native, said that it is the oldest safety campaign that is federally sponsored every year.

In a message to soldiers and airmen, Costanza said, “Many fires can be prevented and YOU soldiers and airmen must do your part to prevent fires.”

Airmen from the Ali Fire Department on COB Adder will be conducting various training events during Fire Prevention Week, including fire warden and fire extinguisher training.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2010
• Date Posted: 10.18.2010 11:00
• Story ID: 58316
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ