NAS JRB Fort Worth Celebrates Fire Prevention Week's 100th Anniversary

Photo By Sandy Owens | Fire department educating children on the installation about fire safety.  

FORT WORTH, UNITED STATES

10.18.2022

Story by Sandy Owens 

Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base

NAS JRB FORT WORTH, Texas – Naval Air Station (NAS) Joint Reserve Base (JRB) Fort Worth joined the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. The team hosted a series of fire safety events on the installation.

According to the NFPA, “Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage.” This year’s NFPA Fire Prevention Week campaign is, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.” The week started with Flight Line and Facility Fire Extinguisher training, for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 112.

“This year we wanted to highlight the flying mission of USMC VMFA 112, and all the maintainers, who keep these aircraft operational.  They face some extreme conditions, and are faced with potential danger, which is why we provide Flight Line and Facility Fire Extinguisher training,” explained Fire Inspector, Jeffrey Owens.

When asked what the importance of the training is, Staff Sergeant Scott Kupres, USMC VMFA 112 said, “Safety is everything. We have had a fire incident, where someone was injured; its training like this that hopefully, helps prevent another mishap.”

Next, the Fire Prevention Team conducted a fire evacuation drill at the Child Development Center (CDC), for the youngest of our installation members. After the drill, the children were able to meet firefighters, Sparky the fire dog, and even participate in a fire truck tour.

The CDC children are no strangers to the fire department as “they are required to do monthly inspections and drills with them. Fire Prevention Week is a fun time, where the fire department can come down to the level of the kids, and they can interact with Sparky, firefighters, and a fire truck,” said CDC Director, Angela Noll.

Furthermore, at the School Age Care Facility (SAC), children were able to participate in an interactive tour of a fire truck. They saw live demonstrations of different tools, one of them being the ‘Jaws of Life’, a hydraulic rescue tool that is used to cut through cars and rip open vehicle doors to release occupants.

Cathy Brown, a Lead Educational Specialist, said, “Fire Prevention Week is a good community builder and a time to celebrate with hands-on learning. We are always practicing safety here at the SAC. Whether it’s who to call, what to do, where to go, who to follow, or knowing the evacuation route is the key here in the building and in our homes. Building relationships with the NAS JRB Fire Department is an important part of our success with implementing safety practices.”

For the grand finale, Fire Prevention sought to incorporate the installation’s commitment to physical fitness and fire safety by holding its first annual Disc Golf Tournament. Fire Inspector, Brent Crispen said, “our goal with the Disc Golf Tournament was to host a fun outdoor event and bring people together while highlighting our installation’s commitment to physical fitness and fire safety. While we celebrate Fire Prevention Week, this is a year around commitment!”

For more fire safety tips and information, visit firepreventionweek.org and sparky.org.

• Date Taken: 10.18.2022
• Date Posted: 10.18.2022 15:12
• Story ID: 431566
• Location: FORT WORTH, US