PASSing fire safety to the DFAC

By Sgt. David BeckstromDecember 19, 2015

PASSing fire safety to the DFAC
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chefs from the Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Zone 2 Dining Facility practice fire suppression during their annual safety recertification on Dec. 2. The National Fire Protection Association says that the Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep system is the best when using ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
PASSing fire safety to the DFAC
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chefs from the Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Zone 2 Dining Facility practice fire suppression during their annual safety recertification on Dec. 2. The hands-on training with the fire extinguishers taught us that we should use them with a side-to-side motion ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
PASSing fire safety to the DFAC
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A firefighter with the Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Fire and Rescue Department relights a training fire for the recertification training for the Dinning Facility chefs, Dec. 2. "We made sure to take precautions prior to the training and to setup a perimeter ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
PASSing fire safety to the DFAC
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chefs from the Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Zone 2 Dinning Facility practice fire suppression during their annual safety recertification on Dec. 2. The National Fire Protection Association says that the Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep system is the best when using... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Chefs from the Camp Arifjan Zone 2 Dining Facility practiced fire suppression techniques here, Dec. 2. The DFAC team recertifies annually to ensure the continued safety of their patrons.

The chefs and facility personnel trained on the National Fire Protection Association's best practice for using a fire extinguisher by following the "PASS" method. Pull the safety pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the trigger, and then sweep from side to side.

"We ensure that our team of chefs and cooks understand how to use all the safety equipment in the DFAC before they start working," said Staff Sgt. Bobby Floyd, the non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the DFAC, assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery. "Every year, we re-certify on our safety postures by having hands-on training where our crew can fully understand each firefighting device."

The three main types of fire extinguishers are water, carbon dioxide and chemical. Each of these are rated for different fires and the chemical fire extinguishers are broken into sub categories to facilitate fire suppression in many different situations.

"Being able to understand the different types of fire extinguishers will help my crew to combat various fires: electrical, chemical, liquid, etc.," said Vinod Mohan, the civilian DFAC manager. "Since we work with different oils, knowing how to deal with potential safety risks allows us to keep our workers, our patrons, and the facility safe. We also have various other fire suppression systems in place to help contain any possible break-out."

"The hands-on training with the fire extinguishers taught us how to properly perform PASS," said Joman Mattathu, a store keeper with the DFAC and participant of the training. "Teaching us to use a left-to-right method rather than an up-and-down pattern allows us to be more effective if a fire was to breakout."

During the training, each participant took a wet chemical fire extinguisher and practiced smothering a training fire.

"During the training, we assist the trainees by making sure that they approached the fire from a safe direction and distance," said Gene Cordero, a firefighter with the Fire and Rescue Department.

"When it was my turn to practice I was nervous, thinking to myself 'I really hope this fire goes out quickly' and 'I hope that I do this right so I can do it if the need ever arises,'" said Mattathu. "After the fire properly went out I had the confidence that I would be able to help in case of an emergency."

This event is part of U.S. Army Central's safety program to ensure all Soldiers and civilians are trained on precautionary systems and take safety seriously.

"When dealing with fire, life is the biggest safety concern," said Cordero. "We made sure to take all precautions prior to the training to ensure that it is conducted smoothly and safely."