“About a month ago we unfortunately had an oil fire,” said Hailee Bonds, who is a Quality Assurance Associate for Alliance Technical Group. “It was kind of jarring to see how many people didn’t know how to use a fire extinguisher.”
There were no injuries or damage, but Bonds reached out to the SBM Fire Department to see how Alliance could be better prepared in case of another fire.
SBM suggested that Alliance take advantage of the department’s fire extinguisher training program. Bonds was all in, and in early October Chuck and Kyle Fleury from SBM showed up to dole out tips to Alliance employees on how to put out small blazes.
“It’s a free thing that we can offer to any business in the community,” said Chuck Fleury.
Alliance workers sat through a classroom session as Chuck and Kyle doled out valuable tips on how to properly use a fire extinguisher. After Alliance’s close call a few weeks ago this was something the company embraced.
“We’re taught it in school so I expected them to step up and it took me stepping up,” Bonds said. “Someone was gonna to bring water to it so I said, ‘okay we may need to do some training for you guys.’ ”
Bonds believes the learning session was invaluable.
“Extremely important,” Bonds said. “A fire can come from anything. When I lived at my old house we had a gas stove and I lit a fire in my own house.”
“They’re so excited for this”
When class finished, the students eagerly went outside for some hands-on training.
“They’re so excited for this,” Bonds said. “They’ve been talking about it for weeks now.”
“It’s important to know how to use them,” said Chuck Fleury. “To aim at the base of the fire and sweep with the pass acronym they use. Pull – pull the pin. Aim – aim the nozzle. Squeeze and sweep. You want to go left and right at the base of the fire… It’s really meant to put out a small fire, like a garbage can type size fire. As long as it’s not out of control you can use the extinguisher.”
SBM recommends that businesses and homes have a fire extinguisher on every level of the structure. Getting a chance to use one was a great teaching tool for Alliance employees.
“It’s gonna give you 30 seconds max for the extinguishing agent to come out,” said Chuck Fleury.” Otherwise every second it’s going to get weaker and weaker and you’re gonna have to get closer and closer to the fire…It’s gotta be by a door so when you go get it, you don’t want your back to the fire at any time, but you want to be able to have an exit out.
If there is a grease fire in the kitchen don’t use an extinguisher. Instead cover the fire with a cookie sheet, lid or pan.
