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Knowing what to do when a fire breaks out is why U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Station hosted several activities during this year’s National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4 to 11.
“We wanted to make sure that we had a variety of activities for everyone of all ages in the community to learn about fire safety and to know what not to do and what to do in case of a fire,” said Jürgen Stegner, the garrison’s fire chief.
Activities ranged from demonstrations on why water is not a good way to put out a kitchen grease fire to performances of the “Sesame Street” puppet theater at the garrison’s three Child Development Centers on Kleber Kaserne, Miesau Army Depot and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. There were also displays and handout information available at the garrison’s gates at the 10 Army kasernes in Kaiserslautern and an open house on Oct. 8 at the Army’s sole fire station on Miesau.
Olaf Klein-Chazkelewitz, the garrison’s fire inspector for Daenner Kaserne, said Fire Prevention Week was held this year in conjunction with the six-month long Fire Prevention Campaign launched March 31 throughout the Installation Management Command.
This year’s Fire Prevention Campaign theme, “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned,” focused on simple steps people can take to keep their homes safe from fires.
“Kitchen fires are the No. 1 type of fires in Kaiserslautern,” said Klaus Küppers, the garrison’s fire inspector for Rhine Ordnance Barracks and the Weilerbach Ammunition Depot.
Five Soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command received hands-on experience on putting out Class B fires, choosing between CO2 or dry chemical fire extinguishers. Fire Inspector Zoske demonstrated why choosing an extinguisher filled with water is not a good idea for Class B fires.
“See how the flames spread when you use water,” he said during the demonstration.
The garrison’s fire department has performed the Sesame Street Muppet Show for 24 years at the garrisons three CDCs. The performances, which consisted of three skits, taught children, ages 3 to 5 years old, how not to be afraid of firefighters, what to do when they find matches or lighters and the importance of fire detectors.
“My strong belief is that if we raise children with fire safety in their heads, it’s easier for us in the future,” Fire Chief Stegner said.
National Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire on Oct. 8 and 9, 1871, that killed more than 250 people, leaving 100,000 homeless, destroying more than 17,400 structures and burning more than 2,000 acres.
In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls.
