Ellsworth kicks off Fire Prevention Week

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eric Bolt
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth firefighters kicked off Fire Prevention Week with a firefighter challenge. Five teams from the fire department and other Ellsworth agencies participated in the activities Oct. 3.

The firefighter challenge course was filled with physically demanding contests like the hose drag, the ladder climb and the bag hoist.

"You assume things are easy," said Capt. Kenneth McGinnis, 28th Civil Engineer squadron emergency management chief. "Once you get started, you realize how hard things really are. It's pretty intense."

The winning team consisted of five members of the 28th CES fire Department. Staff Sgt Jason Shanley, Staff Sgt. Francis Bierman, Staff Sgt. Trevor Schubert, Senior Airman Lance Brozik and Senior Airman Travis Schneider managed to finish the course in 4 minutes and 3 seconds. This time was almost a full minute-and-a-half faster than the last place team.

"Events like this reinforce what we already know," said Lt. Col. John Allen Jr., 28th CES commander. "Our firefighters perform a rigorous, challenging mission, and they take great pride in their willingness to serve, ability to perform and courage to act. I'm very proud to serve with them."

The firefighter challenge kick-started Fire Prevention Week. The theme of the 2007 Fire Prevention Week is "Practice your escape plan."

Ellsworth firefighters will be spreading the word that practice is key when it comes to escape plans. Ellsworth's fire department has a lot of helpful information to help keep Ellsworth and the local community safe.

The fire department will lead a parade through on-base housing Oct. 6 starting at 10 a.m. and hold an open house at the fire department from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, call the fire department at 385-1113.