By Randy Fogg
Moundridge Ledger – November 14, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – November 26, 2013
Sadie Carter, age 5, knows what to do if a fire starts up.
“When there’s a fire, call 911,” Carter said.
Firefighters with Inman Fire Department District No. 5 had a booth at the Inman Wellness Center’s Health Fair, Saturday, November 2, which took place at the center. Firefighters were teaching members of the public to proper way to use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire.
She noted that it was not easy using a fire extinguisher.
Pastor Dwight Carter, Sadie’s dad, said it was a good idea for firefighters to teach the public the correct technique for using an extinguisher.
“I think it’s a good thing for the adults to learn,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of adults who haven’t used a fire extinguisher.”
Schroeder agreed, “It’s amazing how many people haven’t used a fire extinguisher. It’s good to make people think about it.”
In using an extinguisher, Schroeder said many people will forget to pull the pin out of the handle. With the pin in place, the extinguisher will not work.
“They get excited and forget that step,” Schroeder said. “It’s an important part.
“It’s obviously important to know how to use one,” he added.
The department had the equipment on hand to teach the public the proper technique to follow. Schroeder said they got the equipment on loan from National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) in McPherson.
There was a screen which showed an electronic fire. The firefighters had two special fire extinguishers that people could use. Instead of chemicals, these extinguishers shot out electrons that showed up to see where they were aiming with the fire extinguisher.
Schroeder said the electronic fire was designed to behave like how a real fire might. A person might put out part of the fire, but then the embers would start back up.
“It allows them to try and put out a fire in a situation that is not life threatening,” Schroeder said.
The firefighters told people to follow the PASS list of actions:
- Pull the pin;
- Aim low at the base of the flames;
- Squeeze the handle; and
- Sweep side to side
Like an actual extinguisher, the electronic versions would run out of “chemical” that could be squirted out.
Schroeder said the demonstrations went well, and people were interested in learning how to use an extinguisher.
In addition to the firefighters, there were another 14 booths at the health fair.
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