Photo By Kathryn Reaves | Digital fire extinguisher training system components are arranged inside the fire...... read more read more
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Advancements in technology have revolutionized training across the Department of Defense, enabling the military and civilian workforce to learn effectively in a safe environment.
Across Joint Base San Antonio, members assigned to the 902d Civil Engineer Squadron fire department are taking advantage of technology to teach life-saving lessons.
“Everyone learns at different paces or different ways, but most people really enjoy the hands-on approach of learning and seem to get so much more out of it,” said Darrin Tannert, 902d CES fire prevention assistant chief. “Hands-on training is always better than computer training, because you get to experience it, feel it and see how it works. We have a lot of mobile equipment that we take out for training, but by far the favorite is the fire extinguisher trainer.”
At the request of JBSA partners, fire prevention team members host in-person training sessions where military and civilian individuals can practice with technology-based pull stations, fire extinguishers and simulated fires.
The classes begin with instruction tailored to the facility’s specific fire safety devices, such as extinguishers and suppression systems, or unique concerns employees should be aware of.
Trainers also share tips recommended by the National Fire Protection Association. According to the NFPA, portable fire extinguishers can save lives and property when used to put out a small fire or contain it until the fire department arrives.
Trainees can then familiarize themselves with an extinguisher from their own building to gain confidence in handing it should a fire emergency arise.
“A lot of people have never touched an extinguisher before so it’s really an eye-opener,” said Tannert.
Once the initial instruction is done, instructors introduce a digital fire extinguisher training system.
Individual volunteers must implement what they learned by responding to a fire displayed on the system’s interactive screen. The device glows and radiates heat to provide a realistic experience in a controlled environment.
After loudly announcing the presence of fire and directing someone to call 911, volunteers activate the system’s connected pull station to set off a strobe light and alarm mounted to a stand across the room.
As the light flashes and the alarm blares, a volunteer takes on the simulated fire with a laser-equipped extinguisher by practicing pulling the pin, aiming at the base of the fire, squeezing the trigger, and sweeping back and forth. These procedures are also known by the acronym PASS.
Sweeping the laser across sensors on the bottom of the screen causes the image to react by moving and shrinking in size until the participant extinguishes it completely.
Airman 1st Class Roberto Rosalez, 802d Force Support Squadron force management technician, practiced with the training system during a requested visit.
“I feel like it wouldn’t have been the same if we didn’t use the technology,” said Rosalez. “If we just talked about it without doing anything I don’t think it would have been as helpful. I thought the electronic fire simulator was really cool.”
This self-contained electronic system allows fire prevention specialists to conduct training sessions nearly anywhere, such as at outdoor morale events, connecting fire prevention strategies with an experience that can reinforce learning.
“We try to get as many people as we can involved in fire extinguisher training – including your facility managers, commanders, and occupants of the facility,” said Tannert. “We do this in all facilities. Any age group will benefit from this training.”
Through the use of technology, fire department team members are linking words to actions in order to create more memorable experiences and help Team JBSA retain potentially life-saving information.
“[Now] I actually have an idea of what to do in case there’s a fire,” said Rosalez. “Before the training though, I would have been freaking out … like everybody else not knowing what to do. Now I feel more confident.”
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2024 08:50 |
| Story ID: | 477940 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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