Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Vann | Army Spc. Tiffany Addair (4th from left) poses with firefighters and Troopers from the...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — Joint Task Force Guantanamo's first line of defense against fires is a trained group of individuals known as fire wardens. Though not trained to put out fires, these troopers are trained to look for safe conditions in JTF buildings to prevent fires from happening.
In keeping with Benjamin Franklin's philosophy, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," the fire warden program works to prevent fires at Guantanamo before they have the chance to start.
"Even small fires can be deadly," said Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Monty Willaford, a member of Port Security Unit 305. "We want to totally prevent fires to totally prevent deaths."
Willaford, with 34 years of firefighting experience, assists the base fire department with the training, which is conducted jointly by the JTF safety office and U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. In accordance with Department of Defense regulations and U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay regulation, the fire warden program serves to advance the safety and readiness of the JTF.
"The fire prevention program is part of our safety campaign," said Army 1st Lt. Roberto Flores Martinez, the Joint Task Force safety officer.
Fire wardens must be appointed by commanders and must undergo training through the Joint Task Force safety office. Generally, one fire warden is assigned to each building on base.
The training includes basic fire inspection principles such as becoming familiar with basic safety equipment, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Troopers learn about evacuation plans and who to contact in case of an emergency. They are also taught how to inspect smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in their areas and to make sure buildings are up to code, with exits clearly marked and free of clutter.
"The intent of the program is to make the JTF safer and promote awareness of fire safety," Willaford said.
The base fire department has trained specialists to conduct fire inspections. These fire inspectors in turn train the fire wardens to be their extra eyes and ears in providing assistance throughout the base.
"We use the fire wardens to help us," said Steve Deida, one of the fire inspectors for the naval station fire department. "They know their surroundings better than we do and are more aware of potential hazards."
Recently, a JTF trooper became the first to receive a perfect score on the final test for the fire warden training. Army Spc. Tiffany Addair, with JTF public affairs, was chosen to be fire warden for her building and received a certificate for her achievement.
"The fire warden training was very thorough and informative," Addair said. "After receiving a perfect score, I was very surprised at the fire department's efforts in recognizing my achievement. It was greatly appreciated."
| Date Taken: | 04.10.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2009 14:19 |
| Story ID: | 32384 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 320 |
| Downloads: | 183 |
This work, Fire wardens contribute to Joint Task Force Guantanamo safety, by MSG Blair Heusdens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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