NAS Jax Fire Department educates public on fire safety

Firefighters spent hours last week educating the public through static displays, lectures, and demonstrations. They also held fire drills at various buildings on the base in an effort to increase fire prevention and safety awareness.

Three-year-old Jayvon McIntosh gets a lift out of the fire truck from Firefighter Richard Lee.

"We are out here visiting different areas aboard the base because we want people to think about fire safety this week. But, we really want every week to be fire prevention week," explained NAS Jax Chief Fire Inspector Charles McCoy.

Fires can be deadly. Each year, thousands of lives are lost and property is damaged due to fires. And, according to the base fire department, most people still aren't prepared to prevent or respond to fires. Learning some fire prevention facts will help put you on the same team as the fire department. It may also save you or your families lives or prevent your home from being destroyed in a fire.

Last week's events began with a visit to the Navy Exchange (NEX) Food Court where several members of the fire department passed out information on fire safety to NEX patrons, answered questions about their shiny red ladder truck on display and passed out firefighter hats to children. Also on hand to help promote fire safety was "Pluggie, the Fire Hydrant," a unique remote control device that can talk, move, roll and blink his eyes and spray water. Many of the people walking by were quite surprised as they were sprayed to get their attention. "Pluggie is a great way to teach children and adults fire safety. Everyone is thrilled to meet him," said Fire Inspector Robert Winchester.

Three-year-old Riley Gray happily pretends he's driving the big red fire truck at the Navy Exchange.

The firefighters also visited the NAS Jax Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department Youth Activities Center,

where they gave the children a close-up look at one of their fire trucks while they explained each part of the truck and what it does. The children excitedly asked questions as they learned about all the gadgets and tools a firefighter uses.

Firefighter Garrett Wilhelm also put on his full firefighting gear to show the children what he and the other firefighters wear during a fire. Wilhelm explained to the children that if they should see someone dressed like him during a fire and they are still in their house, to call out to him for help.

"This is really fun because we are learning about what the firefighters do. I learned what a firefighter wears during a fire and how important it is to breathe clean air or you could die from the smoke. And, I loved meeting Pluggie the talking fire hydrant," said 9-year-old Devan Allen at the Youth Activities Center.

NAS Jax Firefighter Brittany Proulx assures 2-year-old Ryley Rhodes that Pluggie the Fire Hydrant is not a big scary robot. Unfortunately, the child thought otherwise and immediately broke down in tears.

"I learned that the firefighters have to put on all their gear fast and that if my clothes ever catch on fire, I should stop, drop and roll," added 9-year-old Chauncey Hodges.

On Wednesday, the firefighters visited Naval Hospital Jacksonville to promote fire safety and pass out information.

At the NAS Jax MWR Department Child Development Center last Thursday, firefighters taught the children that they should never play with matches or lighters and how to stop, drop and roll during a fire and to call 9-1-1 should a fire occur.

During the week, firefighters staged unannounced fire drills at different buildings around the base. After each drill, a member of the fire department explained what would have happened in a true fire.

During the "real thing," everyone should calmly leave their buildings, closing doors behind them. They should meet in a designated area, checking to make sure everyone is accounted for.

AE2(AW) Darick Yelder of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast gets sprayed as he walks past Pluggie the Fire Hydrant at the Navy Exchange Oct. 6.

At NAS Jax, a fire warden is designated for each building and fire bills are posted showing the safest routes out of the building.

"Overall, the week went great and I think we reached a lot of people at all the places we stopped by," said Winchester. "Our theme this year focuses on preventing fires in the home and hopefully, with the information we put out, we've helped prevent some future deaths and destruction of property from a fire."

Photo by Kaylee LaRocque Firefighter Garrett Wilhelm helps 12-year-old Rodrigo Santos try on his firefighter gear during a special presentation at the Youth Activities Center Oct. 6.