Fire prevention office extinguishes competition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Justin Weaver
  • 31st Figther Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Civil Engineer Squadron's fire prevention office recently extinguished the competition, reeling in their third USAFE Fire Prevention Office of the Year award in four years. 

Protecting more than 9,000 people on base is no easy feat. For the prevention office and their fellow firefighters, the key to their success is making sure they never get complacent. 

"We have such a good prevention program here at Aviano," said Senior Airman Michael Delong, 31st CES fire prevention office. "We are always trying to improve on what we do and how we can make it even better." 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments responded to nearly 400,000 home fires in 2006 resulting in 2,580 civilian deaths, 12,500 civilian injuries and $6.8 billion in direct damage. 

Thanks to the dedication of the fire prevention team's efforts they reduced fire alarm false calls by 60 percent in 2008, they authored a fire investigation guide and checklists -- the first of its kind in USAFE, and they conducted more than 180 fire drills throughout the year. 

"Our goal here is to make the base safer," said Master Sgt. John Ellam, 31st CES fire inspector. "Our families work here on base and it motivates us to help make it safer for not only them, but for the entire base." 

With an impressive fire prevention track record, Airmen and their families can feel safe knowing the 31st CES firefighters have their safety at the forefront of everything they do. 

Selection for the 2008 Air Force Fire Prevention Office of the Year will take place early next year.