Putting out fires
NORWICH – Most chief executives are adept at putting out fires, metaphorically speaking. But last month John McHale, CEO of CWS, had the chance to try his hand at extinguishing an actual fire. Or more precisely, a simulated one, during a training session conducted by the Chenango County Bureau of Fire.
According to Deputy Fire Coordinator Mike Beckwith, the purpose of the training is to instruct people on how to safely operate a fire extinguisher, and so they know what to expect in the case of an actual fire.
McHale was one of approximately 150 of the sheltered workshop’s employees to complete the training in one of eight sessions, according to CWS’s chief safety officer, Mike Tiffany. The purpose of the training, he explained, was both to meet OSHA requirements, but also to give employees knowledge which could also be applicable to them at home.
Beckwith reviewed the different types of fire extinguishers one might encounter, and explained that they were only for small fires. Before reaching for an extinguisher, however, you should always reach for the phone.
“When a fire is discovered, the first thing you do is dial 911,” he explained.
Beckwith said people should listen to their instincts when it comes to whether they should try to put out a fire themselves, or leave it to the experts.
“If your first instinct is to get out; get out,” he said. “Don’t put yourself in jeopardy.” The same is true if they are unable to put the fire out or if the extinguisher malfunctions.
So, how do you safely fight a fire using a fire extinguisher? First, pull the pin, then, while standing 8 to 12 feet away, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Squeeze to trigger to test, and then advance to 6 to 8 feet away while sweeping the nozzle slowly back and forth to smother the flames. When the flames are extinguished, back away.
“You never want to turn your back to a fire,” Beckwith said.
What happens if it doesn’t go out?
“If you can’t put it out with an extinguisher, or if your extinguisher is malfunctioning, get out,” he instructed.
While that seems like a lot to remember, the deputy fire coordinator gave his students an easy way to put it to memory with the acronym PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.
And, after being walked through the basics, each member of the group had a chance at putting out a fire first hand. For this, they used a special piece of equipment the county agency paid for in part by a grant from New York Central Mutual Insurance Company.
The demonstration unit, manufactured by BullEx, operates using propane. Sensors in the unit read the movement of the nozzle of the accompanying extinguisher, which is charged not with the dry powder typically found in such equipment, but simply water and air. If the student uses the correct technique, the flame is extinguished. The intensity of the blaze is controlled by the instructor, via a remote control.
According to Tiffany, the OSHA-required training used to be accomplished by burning diesel fuel in barrels. This, he said, was a much more effective way of educating employees on the proper use of the extinguishers. And less costly, since they didn’t expend actual extinguishers.
“Even though there was an expense to the unit, it has saved quite a bit of money already,” said Beckwith.
And, of course, it isn’t only money which those in the fire service are interested in saving. Which is why, according to Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matt Beckwith, they provide the training free of charge to both area businesses and community groups.
“By using a fire extinguisher properly and safely, it will save people’s homes, businesses and possibly even lives,” he explained. Unfortunately, Beckwith says, many people don’t know how to use them properly. Or they think they know, but don’t truly understand how a fire behaves or what to do.
According to the county official, offering the training has already paid off.
He referenced an incident where a woman who had recently completed the fire extinguisher training put that knowledge to use when a small fire started in her McDonough. By the time the fire department arrived, the majority of the fire was out as a result of her quick response actions.
“Through her efforts, she helped save her house,” he said.
For more information on fire prevention or the fire extinguisher training program, contact Fire Coordinator Matt Beckwith at 337-1862.
According to Deputy Fire Coordinator Mike Beckwith, the purpose of the training is to instruct people on how to safely operate a fire extinguisher, and so they know what to expect in the case of an actual fire.
McHale was one of approximately 150 of the sheltered workshop’s employees to complete the training in one of eight sessions, according to CWS’s chief safety officer, Mike Tiffany. The purpose of the training, he explained, was both to meet OSHA requirements, but also to give employees knowledge which could also be applicable to them at home.
Beckwith reviewed the different types of fire extinguishers one might encounter, and explained that they were only for small fires. Before reaching for an extinguisher, however, you should always reach for the phone.
“When a fire is discovered, the first thing you do is dial 911,” he explained.
Beckwith said people should listen to their instincts when it comes to whether they should try to put out a fire themselves, or leave it to the experts.
“If your first instinct is to get out; get out,” he said. “Don’t put yourself in jeopardy.” The same is true if they are unable to put the fire out or if the extinguisher malfunctions.
So, how do you safely fight a fire using a fire extinguisher? First, pull the pin, then, while standing 8 to 12 feet away, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Squeeze to trigger to test, and then advance to 6 to 8 feet away while sweeping the nozzle slowly back and forth to smother the flames. When the flames are extinguished, back away.
“You never want to turn your back to a fire,” Beckwith said.
What happens if it doesn’t go out?
“If you can’t put it out with an extinguisher, or if your extinguisher is malfunctioning, get out,” he instructed.
While that seems like a lot to remember, the deputy fire coordinator gave his students an easy way to put it to memory with the acronym PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.
And, after being walked through the basics, each member of the group had a chance at putting out a fire first hand. For this, they used a special piece of equipment the county agency paid for in part by a grant from New York Central Mutual Insurance Company.
The demonstration unit, manufactured by BullEx, operates using propane. Sensors in the unit read the movement of the nozzle of the accompanying extinguisher, which is charged not with the dry powder typically found in such equipment, but simply water and air. If the student uses the correct technique, the flame is extinguished. The intensity of the blaze is controlled by the instructor, via a remote control.
According to Tiffany, the OSHA-required training used to be accomplished by burning diesel fuel in barrels. This, he said, was a much more effective way of educating employees on the proper use of the extinguishers. And less costly, since they didn’t expend actual extinguishers.
“Even though there was an expense to the unit, it has saved quite a bit of money already,” said Beckwith.
And, of course, it isn’t only money which those in the fire service are interested in saving. Which is why, according to Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matt Beckwith, they provide the training free of charge to both area businesses and community groups.
“By using a fire extinguisher properly and safely, it will save people’s homes, businesses and possibly even lives,” he explained. Unfortunately, Beckwith says, many people don’t know how to use them properly. Or they think they know, but don’t truly understand how a fire behaves or what to do.
According to the county official, offering the training has already paid off.
He referenced an incident where a woman who had recently completed the fire extinguisher training put that knowledge to use when a small fire started in her McDonough. By the time the fire department arrived, the majority of the fire was out as a result of her quick response actions.
“Through her efforts, she helped save her house,” he said.
For more information on fire prevention or the fire extinguisher training program, contact Fire Coordinator Matt Beckwith at 337-1862.
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