Firefighters spark culture of safety at Edwards
Preventing a fire is always easier than fighting one – or trying to escape it.
To drive that point home, the 412th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Flight recently hosted a week of activities for Fire Prevention Week. The annual event aims to raise fire-safety awareness and strengthen bonds with the Edwards Air Force Base community.
Fire requires three ingredients to burn: heat, fuel and oxygen. While firefighters cannot control the scorching Mojave Desert summers, residents can dramatically reduce the risk of wildfires. Simple actions like safely disposing of cigarettes, adhering to open-flame restrictions, mowing dry lawns and clearing invasive weeds can stop a fire before it starts.
As the seasons change, winter introduces different hazards. Cold weather often brings out portable space heaters, which can easily spark disaster if used incorrectly. Safety experts recommend using only heaters equipped with automatic shut-off and overheat protection features. These devices must be kept at least 3 feet away from beds, curtains and other flammable materials. Additionally, space heaters should be plugged directly into wall outlets rather than overloaded power strips, and smoking in bed remains a major safety hazard regardless of the temperature.
When prevention fails, early detection is lifesaving.
Working smoke alarms reduce fire-related deaths by more than 60%, according to a Sept. 25, 2024, https://www.nfpa.org/Education-and-Research/Research/NFPA-Research/Fire-Statistical-reports/Smoke-Alarms-in-US-Home-Fires. To keep them operational, residents should test smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries annually. Because the sensors degrade over time, the entire alarm unit must be replaced 10 years from its manufacture date. Inside the home, detectors are required in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the house.
The kitchen remains another primary danger zone. Unattended cooking, particularly involving oil and grease, is the leading cause of home fires. Safety officials emphasize the importance of staying in the kitchen whenever the stove or oven is in use.
To share these vital lessons, Edwards firefighters connected with local youth at base schools, blending education with high-energy activities like inflatable obstacle courses. The department also hosted a vehicle display at the Base Exchange parking lot, allowing families to get an up-close look at the life-saving equipment. The week concluded with a festive fire truck parade through housing neighborhoods, where base leaders rode alongside firefighters and tossed treats to residents.
"Fire safety is a collective mission that requires every resident to stay vigilant,” said Jonathon Hahn, 812th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief. “We were incredibly proud to see our community line the streets for the Fire Prevention Week parade and having our installation leadership ride alongside our firefighters underscores just how vital safety and emergency preparedness are to our overall mission readiness."
Annabelle Pitre, daughter of Capt. Stephen Pitre, an Air Force Test Pilot School student, high-fives Airman 1st Class Dylan Moguel Carrizal, an 812th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, during Fire Prevention Week at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Oct. 7. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brandon Hernandez)
Casey Castleman, an 812th Civil Engineer Squadron fire inspector, teaches Alexander Harms, son of Lt. Col. Jerome Harms, an Air Force Test Pilot School student, how to operate a fire extinguisher during Fire Prevention Week at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Oct. 7. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brandon Hernandez)
Adam Burgess, 812th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief for fire prevention, Jonathon Hahn, 812th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, Col. Bradly Bucholz, 412th Civil Engineer Group commander, Col. Tom Tauer, 412th Test Wing commander, and mascot Sparky ride alongside firefighters and toss treats to residents during the Fire Prevention Week Parade at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Oct. 7. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brandon Hernandez)
Maj. Sean Murphy, 812th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, Col. Tom Tauer, 412th Test Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Skarloken, 412th Test Wing command chief master sergeant, toss treats to residents during the Fire Prevention Week Parade at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Oct. 7. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brandon Hernandez)
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