CAT members visit fire station
A visit to Kibler Park Fire Station was enjoyed by all members of CAT (Community Awareness Training) on Tuesday July 14.
EMT (Emergency Management Technician) fire fighter Christina Minky Mogapi told the members why she became a fire fighter, gave tips on what to do in case of a fire breaking out and showed then how to operate a fire extinguisher.
“When I was a young I saw a gas stove explode and watched how family members managed without panicking to put the fire out. When I was a bit older I became a fire cadet and worked voluntarily at the local fire station. I always knew I wanted to work in the public sector and to become a nurse, a police officer or a fire fighter. I chose the fire department and have never regretted it,” Christina said.
She went on to say, “Be careful with heaters, overloading plug sockets and electric blankets. Electrical fires should never be put out with water, rather use a fire extinguisher if there is one available. Sand can be used to put out a small fire. If a pan of oil catches on fire in the kitchen, wet a towel and throw it over the flaming pan, never throw water directly over it, it will cause the fire to spread.
“When using a portable fire extinguisher read and understand all the safety precautions displayed on the side of it. If possible ensure there is back-up, a team of two is always preferable. Make sure the fire extinguisher is full and before committing yourself to attack a fire, ensure you have an escape route. If outdoors, approach the fire from the windward side. Do not run as ground surfaces could be slippery. When tackling a fire involving live electrical equipment, isolate the power as soon as possible to prevent re-ignition or electrocution.
“Remember, continuous discharge times of extinguishers are quite short, so a correct technique is vital. Never turn your back on an un-extinguished fire. If the fire cannot be extinguished, call the fire brigade. Make sure when you phone for help you contact the right number. The emergency number for the fire department or ambulance is 10177 from a landline or 112 from a cellphone. Tell them the number and street address clearly and what type of emergency it is. Try and get everyone out of the house and if smoke becomes bad crawl along the floor to the nearest exit.”
Sarah Wissler, coordinator of CAT, thanked Christina for the informative talk and Kibler Park Fire Station for hosting them.
