How to Put Out a Fire (and Get Out of 
Harm's Way)

Staff turned out in droves for the fire extinguisher safety training offered 
earlier this month by Health, Environment, and Safety Services (HESS), 
with 
55 participating at Foothills Lab and 35 at the Mesa Lab.  The training 
included a short video provided by the Boulder Fire Department, a 
question-and-answer period, and hands-on experience pulling the pin on 
an extinguisher and squeezing the trigger.  Due to high winds, the ML 
participants had to pretend they were putting out an actual fire, while the 
Foothills staff got to practice on the real thing (controlled, of course).  
"People seemed to enjoy the classes," says Ginger Hein, HESS assistant.  
"Hopefully this training will make a positive difference for them some 
day."  If you're getting an extinguisher for home or car and would like 
some help in selecting it, call Ginger, ext. 8555.

When a fire can't be extinguished safely, evacuation is a must.  HESS 
wants to make sure you know the basics by heart.

-- Treat all fire alarms as realÑthey are there to save your life.  Even if 
you suspect that an alarm is false, you should still leave the building at 
once.

-- Don't panic.

-- Use stairwells instead of elevators.

-- Assist those who may be having trouble leaving the building.

-- Once outside, please congregate well away from the building and 
roads.

-- Refrain from reentering your building until instructed to do so by 
authorities.  Wait until all alarms have been silenced.  -- BH