Workers in Perry’s public schools, long-term care homes, city buildings and at the Dallas County Hospital take annual lessons in the proper use of fire extinguishers as part of a public-service program carried out by the Perry Volunteer Fire Department.
This week Perry Lutheran Home Main Campus employees were trained in dousing a kitchen fire by means of a computer-controlled, propane-powered device that simulates a blaze on a gas stove.
“This is much cleaner, neater and cheaper than the way we use to give instruction,” said Perry Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Chris Hinds, a 31-year employee of the city of Perry. He said the department used to stage the demonstrations using dry-chemical extinguishers and a fire fed with fuel oil and gasoline.
“The mess after those training sessions was a big drawback,” Hinds said. The department’s new computer-controlled propane fire setup was purchased for $10,000 using grant funds provided by the Dallas County Foundation and the Bock Family Foundation. Equipment includes four extinguishers, the fire unit with its digital controller, an air compressor and cases for the gear.
With Thursday afternoon temperatures in the mid-40s and under sunny skies, Lutheran Home employees came out in shifts to the north parking lot to practice their firefighting techniques.
With Perry Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Kevin McCloughlin at the fire unit’s controls, Perry firefighters Jason Bane and Aimee Bane instructed the Lutheran Home employees on the best ways to approach a fire and aim an extinguisher.
“We do this every year, and it’s always a useful exercise,” said Perry Lutheran Home Administrator Doug Wood as he watched the training.
Perry Lutheran Home staffer Nicole Ayala said the training “really helps prepare you for the real thing, which we all hope we never have to see for real.”
