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…