* EC: Entering the Smoky Room: Hands-on fire safety training at St. Joseph Hospital (PDF/QV)  [REF: EOC, StEd] EC News, March 2015, Vol 18, #3, Pg 4 JCe1503_B3

During National Fire Protection Month (October) this hospital’s local fire academy offers free training to a number of volunteer hospital staff. They receive a classroom review of fundamentals such as RACE (Rescue-Alarm-Contain-Extinguish/Evacuate) for those at the source of a fire and PASS (Pull-Aim-Squeeze-Sweep) for use of fire extinguishers.  However, what makes the training special is that they are provided with real-life hands-on use of a fire extinguisher to put out a fire and experience being in a room filled with smoke (a more frequent cause of death than fire).
Tip: Ask your Safety Officer to check with local fire authorities to see if hands-on training might be an option. If so, ask Staff Education to survey for potential volunteers.