Sheppard hosts fire prevention symposium

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
Fire officials across the Defense Department converged on Sheppard Feb. 2-5 for the DoD Fire Prevention Symposium. 

More than 30 military, civil service and contractors from the Air Force, Army and DoD Fire Academy were in attendance for briefings on the latest fire prevention tools and techniques, as well as networking on common issues each department faces. 

"We all have the same problems out there," Sheppard Fire Department Chief David Mounsey said. "We can help each other out." 

The chief said an example of networking occurred during the symposium when the fire prevention chief from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, brought up an issue the base had when it first constructed aircraft shelters similar to the ones at the 80th Flying Training Wing. Chief Mounsey said the Randolph shelter's electrical components posted a fire danger, but the problem was corrected. 

Upon inspection of Sheppard's shelters by the chief from Randolph, it was found the danger did not exist here. 

Chief Mounsey said another topic of discussion was the Fire Safety Deficiency Program, a grading system used by fire prevention inspectors to identify potential problems. The chief said the FSD rates potential hazards on a scale from one to five. A '1' rating would be for a "catastrophic issue," he said. 

The more-stringent rating system would ensure the safety of personnel and facilities, but also make fire prevention an important aspect to the every-day mission. 

"The mindset is going to have to change," Chief Mounsey said. 

One of the more interesting items on the agenda was a unique fire prevention and safety tool used by the fire department in Frisco, Texas, in the northern part of the Metroplex. Frisco Fire Safety Town is a miniaturized city that provides a fun and interactive way to teach children a variety of safety topics, including fire and traffic safety. 

Hal McLelland, a Sheppard firefighter, said the safety town was a huge undertaking by the city and created a platform that makes safety education fun. 

The symposium location rotates among various installations, but Chief Mounsey said he'd like Sheppard to host another one within the next two to three years.