By LINDSAY-JO DOUGLAS
BG Independent News
The Pearl Street firehouse in Bowling Green buzzed with activity during its annual open house on Sunday. The morning began with a sausage and pancake breakfast and continued with various activities and demonstrations. Attendees could explore the fire safety house, use a firehose, and get inside a firetruck.
During one demonstration, Firefighter Rob Rath showed visitors how to properly use a fire extinguisher.
“Remember ‘P.A.S.S.,’” Rath said, “Pull the pin, aim at the base, squeeze, and sweep.”
Rath continued to say that people should “yank and turn” the pin and nozzle of the extinguisher “with some force” when putting it to use – the pin and nozzle do not always come out easily.
When aiming at the base of the fire, Rath said to begin six to eight feet away from the flames and work one’s way closer. Aiming the extinguisher at the flames fanning upward will not put out the fire.
When dealing with kitchen fires, people should not spray extinguishers directly into pans from a close distance, especially pans filled with oil. As Rath explained, this can cause liquid to spray, most likely causing the fire to spread.
What begins as a fire in a pan, can lead to “fire coming out both the front and back door by the time we get there,” Rath said.
Starting six to eight feet away from the flames, aiming the extinguisher at the base, and spraying using sweeping motions is encouraged. After using a fire extinguisher, Rath said people can call the fire department to come use infrared and other available tools to make sure the fire is completely out.
As a general word of advice, Rath encouraged people to sleep with their doors closed. Closed doors can help prevent the spread of smoke and fire.
When the demonstration was over, attendees were given the opportunity to practice extinguishing a fire themselves.
In addition to serving as an educational opportunity, the fire department’s open house raises money to support the Bowling Green Firefighters Community Benefit Fund. This fund provides smoke detectors for those who are economically disadvantaged and Knox boxes that are primarily used for senior citizens and those with special needs or disabilities.
