Firefighters work together to educate Lajes Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyrece Campbell
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  Fire trucks from Lajes Field joined with fire trucks from Angra do Herosimo, Praia da Vitoria and Altares to showcase the variety of equipment that enables the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron to support the base's mission and achieve the wing's priorities of "Today's Fight...Airmen and Families...Host Nation Relationship...Future Challenges."

"The theme of the Fire Prevention Week this year was 'Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With'," said Jorge Estrela, fire inspector. "We also educated the base populace on how to prevent fires."

"After educating the base on fire prevention, we used this time to have collaboration with local firefighters and have a friendly competition against each other such as mannequin drags," Mr. Estrela added.

Even though the competition part of the event was cancelled due to weather, Lajes firefighters talked with local firefighters about training, equipment and how they stay up-to-date in the firefighting craft.

"I became a volunteer firefighter for the adventure as well as it is a family tradition. This is my first time coming out to the base for this, and I believe that we should get together more often," said Adriano Silva from the Angra fire station.

Most of the local off-base firefighters are volunteers. Mr. Silva has been a volunteer firefighter for more than seven years.

"Getting to see how the Air Force firefighters work and see the different equipment is a great opportunity, even though the competition was cancelled," said Pedro Barcelos, a firefighter from Praia.

"I cannot wait until next year to come together with my fellow firefighters and share information and remember those who have lost their lives due to fire," added Mr. Barcelos.

According to National Fire Protection Association, Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. President Woodrow Wilson first implemented National Fire Prevention Day in 1920, and every president since 1925 has signed the proclamation for the week-long observance. Every year, a parade of on-base and off-base fire trucks cruise through the base and base housing areas to help close out the educational week. There were eight U.S. Air Force and six Portuguese fire trucks that participated in the parade this year, as Sparky and others threw candy to spectators.

"It was awesome to see all the fire trucks coming down the street and hear the sirens," said Frankie Caruso, son of Maj. Anthony Caruso, 65th Medical Support Squadron Diagnostic and Therapeutic Flight commander.

Besides a base parade and collaboration with local firefighters, the week consisted of several events such as an open house at the fire station for the DODDS school and Area Base 4, exercise demonstration at a Portuguese facility and Sparky visited the commissary and BX. If you missed these events, next year's fire prevention week will be Oct. 9-15, 2012.