CLDJ promotes Fire Prevention Week

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Joseph Rullo | Army Spc. Alejandro Gomez (left) of Victoria, Texas, dons personal protective fire protective fire resistant gear with the help of Fire Inspector, Alphonso Isom, as part of Fire Prevention Week kickoff activities at the base galley, Oct. 8, 2018. A full week of activities are scheduled Oct. 8-13, to help service members adn base personnel reduce the likelihood of having a fire and teach them how to escape safely in the event of one  

DJIBOUTI

10.08.2018

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Rullo 

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – The Camp Lemonnier Fire and Emergency Service Department kicked off Fire Prevention Week (FPW), on base Oct. 7, 2018. FPW is an annual event observed nationally across the U.S. and Canada as well as worldwide U.S. military bases.

FPW is observed each year during the week of October 9 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire. The horrific fire, which occurred in 1871, killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed over 17,000 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. This year’s event takes place Oct. 7-13, and focuses on awareness with the theme “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere.”

Camp Lemonnier Fire Chief, Kenneth C. Garris, explained there is a full week of activities to help educate Service members and base personnel on fire prevention. He said one of the events, a fire station open house, will be host to more than 50 children whose parents work at the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti.

“We look forward to educating base personnel and kids from the surrounding community,” Garris said. “Our goal is to build positive relationships with those we serve while focusing on good fire prevention.”

One of the most popular events of FPW is the Fire Chief’s Challenge. The competition, which is scheduled to take place Oct. 11, 2018, pits teams in a series of mental and physical challenges including a bucket brigade, 4-person litter carry and a fire hose deployment drill.

CLDJ Emergency Management Officer, Navy Lt. Seth Hall, said the events of the week are the perfect time to become more knowledgeable about fire safety.

“I encourage everyone to take part in fire prevention week by looking at the displays, learning from the fire department and becoming more aware of how we can all prevent fires,” Hall said. “Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility.”

Camp Lemonnier is one of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia installations that conducts six lines of operation to support air operations, port operations, safety, security, quality of life, and what is called the core: fuels, water and power that keep the base operating.

Camp Lemonnier’s mission includes enabling joint warfighters operating forward and to reinforce the U.S. – Djibouti relationship by providing exceptional services and facilities for the tenant commands, transient U.S. assets and service members.

• Date Taken: 10.08.2018
• Date Posted: 10.10.2018 09:07
• Story ID: 295880
• Location: DJ