Hundreds turn out to learn fire-safety skills at Warren department

Hundreds turn out to learn fire-safety skills at Warren department

Staff report

WARREN

Donna Cox does not own a home fire extinguisher or has ever tried to use one. That changed Sunday as the Warren resident underwent her own baptism of fire as she squeezed an extinguisher handle to put out some roaring flames.

Fortunately, the blaze that Cox was able to snuff was confined to an area behind the Central Fire Station. City firefighters set the flames to conduct demonstrations of safe extinguisher operations. Cox was a willing volunteer.

“It’s heavy and it was hard the first time, but it really does the job,” said Cox. “I don’t’ have a fire extinguisher but now I’m thinking of getting one.”

During the demonstrations, firefighters encouraged onlookers to remember the acronym PASS (Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the top handle or lever and Sweep from side to side) to use an extinguisher properly.

“So many people have extinguishers but don’t know how to use them,” said Lt. Paul Lamosek, a 23-year fire department veteran.

The demonstration was one of several activities marking the annual observance of Fire Prevention Week at the central station. Several hundred people, many of them young children, turned out to watch displays including the use of the Jaws of Life to extricate victims of car accidents and a rapid acceleration of fire in a small box-like structure that contained a couch, chair, clothing and a television.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com