KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Knowing what to do when a fire breaks out is why the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern's Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Station hosted several activities during this year's National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4-11.
"We wanted to make sure that we had a variety of activities for everyone of all ages in the community to learn about fire safety, and to know what not to do and what to do in case of a fire," said Juergen Stegner, the garrison's fire chief.
USAG Kaiserslautern's efforts were part of Installation Management-Europe's region-wide observance of Fire Prevention Week.
Activities ranged from demonstrations on why water was not a good idea to put out a kitchen grease fire to performances of the "Sesame Street" puppet theater at the garrison's three child development centers on Kleber Kaserne, Miesau Army Depot and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. There were also displays and handout information available at the garrison's gates at the 10 Army kasernes in Kaiserslautern and an open house Oct. 8 at the Army's sole fire station on Miesau.
Fire drills at various buildings throughout the Army kasernes were also a part of the fire prevention activities.
"We always do fire drills throughout the year, but we thought we would implement 'special' ones as part of our Fire Prevention Week," said Hans Zoske, the garrison fire inspector for Panzer Kaserne and LRMC.
Olaf Klein-Chazkelewitz, the garrison's fire inspector for Daenner Kaserne, said Fire Prevention Week was held this year in conjunction with the six-month long Fire Prevention Campaign launched March 31 throughout the Installation Management Command.
He added that this year's Fire Prevention Campaign theme - "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned" - focuses on simple steps people can take to keep their homes safe from the leading causes of fires.
Starting off the week right, the garrison firefighters held demonstrations on kitchen grease fires and provided hands-on training on how to put out Class "B" fires Oct. 5 to more than 100 Soldiers and civilian employees at Panzer Kaserne.
"Kitchen fires are the number one type of fires in Kaiserslautern," said Klaus KAfA1/4ppers, the garrison's fire inspector for Rhine Ordnance Barracks and the Weilerbach Ammunition Depot, as he introduced the demonstration of the kitchen-grease explosion.
Five Soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command received hands-on experience on putting out the Class "B" fires choosing between CO2 or dry chemical fire extinguishers. Zoske demonstrated why choosing an extinguisher filled with water is not a good idea for Class "B" fires - "See, how the flames spread when you use water," he said to the crowd when he sprayed the fire with water.
The garrison's fire department has performed the Sesame Street Muppet Show for 24 years at the three CDCs. The performances consist of three skits - "The Monster," "The Match" and "Metal Cookie."
"My strong belief is that if we raise children with fire safety in their heads, it's easier for us in the future," Stegner said.
Children, ages 3 to 5 years old, learn not to be afraid of firefighters in the first skit - "The Monster," what to do when they find matches or lighters in "The Match" and the importance of fire detectors in "Metal Cookie."
Klein-Chazkelewitz came into the CDCs in full turnout gear during "The Monster" skit. He then removed his frightening attire - gloves, helmet, breathing apparatus, oxygen tank and jacket - to show the children, as Stegner said, "That he's a human being and not a monster."
National Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire Oct. 8 and 9, 1871, killing more than 250 people, leaving 100,000 homeless, destroying more than 17,400 structures and burning more than 2,000 acres. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls.
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