Article Contributed on: 4/18/2007 8:18:10 AM
The live-fire simulator may have suggested that Evergreen National Bank's employees would be "playing" with fire before work on April 16, but they soon learned the simulation was a serious affair.
"Fire is a tool; it's not a toy," Evergreen Fire/Rescue Community Educator
Einar Jensen reminded them. "With 11 children, 27 children and two firefighters dying in fires in the United States each week -- on average -- all of us must be committed to preventing fires from occurring."
Misty Lin Wall, Evergreen National Bank's assistant vice president, requested that Jensen conduct a fire prevention and survival training for her colleagues at the bank with such a commitment in mind.
Jensen discussed evacuation plans with the group and identified common fire code violations, such as overloaded outlets, forgotten coffee makers and deteriorating holiday lighting, before leading the 23 men and women outside for the extinguisher exercise.
Jensen operated the live-fire extinguisher while EFR Fire Inspector
Jason Neely coached each person through the proper procedure for operating an extinguisher.
"Just remember P-A-S-S," Neely said. "Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle, Squeeze the handle and Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the flames."
"Banking on fire safety is a sound investment," Jensen noted, "and it's available for any businesses in our district."
To schedule a similar training for your company, contact Jensen at ejensen@evergreenfirerescue.com or 303-679-4749.