Fire Prevention Week ignites at Hurlburt Field

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Isaac O. Guest IV
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department celebrated its second annual Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15, here. The Fire Department educated and raised awareness of fire prevention through week-long events on base.

This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait – Check the Date!,” representing the need to regularly check the date on smoke detectors and change them out every 10 years.

Staff Sgt. Joshua Reynolds, lead firefighter with the 1st SOCES Fire Department, said Fire Prevention Week gives base personnel a chance to have a face-to-face conversation with firefighters and ask questions they normally wouldn’t get the opportunity to.

The week began by hosting an open house at Fire Station 1 where firefighters led tours for base personnel who wanted a close-up look at how fire departments operate. The open house included fire extinguisher classes, dunk booths and face painting.

Later in the week, “Sparky the Fire Dog,” the National Fire Prevention Association mascot, greeted Air Commandos at the front and back gate and visited the commissary to speak with customers while disseminating fire prevention information.

Fire Department personnel and Sparky visited all three Child Development Centers and the base library to teach children about different fire safety procedures such as the stop, drop and roll technique, what to do if there is a fire in the home and how to stay low to the ground, and what to do if they see a firefighter in the house.

“It was really fun visiting all the different places on base,” said Favies Hill, a fire inspector with the 1SOCES Fire Department. “A lot of people are surprised at how much they learn. The kids tend to learn a lot and are very responsive to the firefighters.”

Fire Prevention Week concluded Oct. 14 with a cook out, raffle ticket drawing and fire muster challenge. During the competition, Air Commandos participated in different events such as a fire truck pull, a water hose joust and obstacle relays.

“We really feel like this week helps families on base,” Hill said. “Based on the feedback we’ve gotten, we’ve helped families with fire prevention safety.”

Tech. Sgt. Bradley Hillebrand, a station chief at the 1st SOCES Fire Department, said families should practice fire drill procedures at home so families know what to do should the situation ever arise.

“We are absolutely here for all base personnel,” Hillebrand said. “If anyone has any questions they can stop by either of the two firehouses, or give us a call.”

For any additional information you can contact the 1 SOCES Fire Department at 850-884-6360.