The White Falcon - 07.10.1983, Side 6

6 THE WHITE FALCON/October 7, 1983
Fire Prevention Branch
The Fire Prevention Branch is manned by
four inspectors. The Chief Inspector, As-
tvaldur Eriksson, joined the department in
1956; Inspector Ragnar Gunnarsson joined in
1968; Inspector Fridthdor Eydal in 1981 and
Inspector Richard H. Richardsson in 1982.
They perform the daily function of the Fire
Prevention Branch, as well as take an ac-
tive part in programs such as Family Hous-
ing Inspections, Fire Prevention Week acti-
vities, the PTO Carnival and other regular
and special events.
The inspectors conduct fire hazard in-
spections in all facilities and observe
operating procedures, structural, mechanic-
al and electrical conditions of buildings
to ensure that all satisfy the requirements
imposed by various fire ordinances and reg-
ulations. Corrective actions, where requir-
ed, are conveyed in the form of written re-
ports or verbal notes. Inspection frequen-
cies are weekly, monthly, quarterly or an-
nually, depending upon the occupancy hazard
and the Navy regulation requirements. Fur-
thermore, they conduct inspections and test
all fire detection and protection systems
on the Naval Station, give fire safety or-
ientation to new arrivals on a weekly basis
and special fire safety lectures to the
various activities at least annually and
more often for personnel in special hazard
areas, such as the flight line. Addition-
ally, they conduct fire prevention lectures
at the request of any activity and special
fire prevention programs in the schools
throughout the year. So far this year the
branch has averaged two lectures per week.
The Fire Prevention Branch also provides
fire protection review of new construction
and building modification plans and propos-
als. They issue permits for occupancy and
hazardous operations, conduct the annual
Fire Prevention Week program, implement the
stations of the Fire Wardens program and
conduct fire safety training and licensing
of babysitters. And, if that's not enough,
they are also charged with the responsi-
bilities of testing, maintaining and bat-
tery change of smoke detectors in all quar-
ters; supervising of fire drills, etc.,
etc.
Fire takes a heavy toll of human life
throughout the world each year. In recent
years fire was ranked as the third largest
accidental killer in the U.S., behind motor
vehicle accidents and accidental falls. It
has claimed the lives of nearly 8,000
people annually and thousands more have been
injured. The U.S. Navy fire loss during
calendar year 1982 was $18.4-mill ion, double
the ten-year annual average. This figure
represents a direct loss of the Navy's op-
erating funds since no insurance is car-
ried. Thus emphasis is placed on fire pre-
vention. An elaborate fire prevention pro-
gram has been established within the U.S.
Navy, as well as other DOD sectors, which
outlines the responsibilities of fire pre-
vention efforts at shore establishments
such as Naval Station, Keflavik.
The Fire Prevention Branch's ultimate
goal is: "No fire loss" at Naval Station,
Keflavik. The only hope of reaching this
very worthwhile goal is through the support
of the community -- from the highest level
of command right down to the children in
our schools. The branch firmly believes
that all fires can be prevented and this
belief is strongly supported by the charts
on this page.
Fire prevention work is primarily in the
form of persuation. The NFPA lists the
three major fire hazards as "men, women and
children" -- the human element, and that is
the most difficult one whith which to cope.
Experience has taught that physical hazards
are more easily corrected. Obviously fire
hazards differ from one type of operation
to another; i.e., fire safety concerns in
an aircraft hangar involves different haz-
ards than those found in a hospital work
area. The Fire Prevention Branch has an
extensive library containing literature re-
garding the various professions; this al-
lows them to be prepared to discuss poten-
tial hazards with people in a knowledgable
manner.
The statistical figures reflected in the
tables on this page provide quantative evi-
dence of the effectiveness of the Naval Sta-
tion, Keflavik fire prevention program.
Table 1 indicates the number of fire haz-
ards detected each year during the 10-year
period, while Table 2 reflects the response
-- in percentages -- on the part of the
community toward correcting these hazards.
Table 3 shows the number of actual fires
each year. The relationship between Tables
2 and 3 is quite distinctive, when the com-
munity response to reported fire hazards is
slow the number of fires immediately in-
creases and visa versa.
So far this year we appear to be on the
right track, with responses to reported
fire hazards near 90 percent. Only four of
the 22 fires have resulted in dollar loss
for a total of $2,872. Those were a $200
loss from a mattress fire in a B0Q, caused
by smoking in bed; a $27 loss from a grease
fire on an unattended stove in a BEQ; a $200
fire resulting from an electrical fire in a
dryer in family quarters; and a $2,445 loss
from a fire occuring in an accumulation of
waste boxes in a BEQ. The latter fire was
of suspicious origin.
The Fire Department extends special
thanks to the Keflavik community for the
accomplishment of the fine record thus far
this year.
4000
3000
2000
1000
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
80
70
60
50
40
TABLE #1
NUMBER OF FIRE HAZARDS REPORTED:
1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1380 1981 1982
TABLE #2
NUMBER OF FIRE HAZARDS CORRECTED IN PERCENT: