Richmond, Va –
As summer comes to a close and Virginians prepare for the fall season, Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, employees are encouraged to put extra thought into different safety and preventive measures covering fire safety plans and heating equipment.
Fire Prevention Week is a time for fire prevention staff and other departments across the country to connect with those serving in their communities as it relates to fire safety and prevention, whether at home or in the workplace. DLA Installation Operations Richmond’s Fire and Emergency Services provides insight into the potential dangers around you, how to prevent those dangers and how to survive in the event of an emergency.
Each year the National Fire Protection Associations’ Fire Prevention Week Campaign designates a fire prevention theme. The 2018 theme is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.”
“Look” for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home and workplace areas. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.
“Listen” for the sound of the smoke or fire alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the alarms sound. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance and where everyone should know to meet.
“Learn” two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.
The 2016 fire statistics are projections derived from NFPA’s annual fire department survey. Home structure fires caused 81 percent of civilian fire deaths and 73 percent of civilian fire injuries. Below is the leading causes of home fire deaths from 2011-2015.
1. Smoking
2. Cooking
3. Heating equipment
4. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment
5. Intentional fires
Not only does Installation Operations’ Fire and Emergency Services staff look at national statistics to shape the program, they also keep statistics here at DSCR. Some reoccurring deficiency trends here include:
• Unauthorized smoking around facilities.
• Unauthorized cooking in the workplace without obtaining a permit.
• Unauthorized heating equipment (personal coffee makers and improper heaters).
These are just some of the deficiencies that the fire prevention staff has come across throughout the past years that employees can help correct. Most questions concerning safety requirements on what is allowed can be answered in (Defense Logistics Agency Manual 6055.06).
The fire and emergency services staff along with Sparky, the fire dog, will be observing Fire Prevention Week Oct. 7 – 13 in an effort to increase employee awareness and safety. They will be handing out pamphlets and performing walk-throughs around DSCR.
On Oct. 9, additional information will be on display from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the new Center Restaurant and a Smoke House will be outside for educational purposes.
Please come out and support this year’s campaign and remember to “Look, Listen, and Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.”