Fort Carson Mountaineer

Soldiers train to extinguish flames

By Jeanne Mazerall

Posted on October 30, 2013

Rob Wuchner, inspector, Fort Carson Fire Department, directs Pfc. Sara Zentz, cable systems installer/maintainer, Company C, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, as she uses a fire extinguisher to put out a contained fire, during a class held for Fire Prevention Month, Oct. 24.

Story and photos by Spc. Nathan Thome

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Raging fires were lit by firefighters and then put out by Soldiers, during training at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion company operations facility, Oct. 23.

Members of the Fort Carson Fire Department provided the Soldiers hands-on training on operating and identifying different types of fire extinguishers, and then using them to put out controlled fires.

“I came up with the idea for this training because it’s Fire Prevention Month, and we haven’t done something like this in a long time,” said Staff Sgt. Ken Heise, network controller, Company C, HHBN.

The training allowed the Soldiers to get a feel for using the extinguishers and taught them what the different types of first-line firefighting devices are used for.

“This training is important for Soldiers, because they’re there when a fire happens; whether you’re in garrison or tent city, you have extinguishers,” said Rob Wuchner, inspector, Fort Carson Fire Department.

Before letting the Soldiers put out a fire, Wuchner demonstrated how to use the extinguisher, noting how far to be back from the fire.

“Extinguishers are our first line of defense when actually firefighting, so it’s important to train up the garrison folks, especially those going downrange, because you never know if (they’re) going to need it,” Wuchner said.

After teaching the Soldiers, Wuchner lit a container on fire and let volunteers put out the flames.

“I learned the importance of having a full fire extinguisher. If you don’t, you may not be able to put out the fire,” said Pfc. Crystal Perigo, multichannel transmission systems operator/maintainer, Company C, HHBN. “I enjoyed this training. It was fun, and I feel more comfortable using a fire extinguisher if I have to.”