UCLA Fire offered a much-needed break to students and staff during fall mid-terms with “Cold Brew & Conversation,” an outdoor event designed to share connection, knowledge and the valuable practice handling fire extinguishers with the campus community.
The meet and greet, held in late October, allowed UCLA Fire personnel and Chief Ricardo Barboza to share information about Fire’s role and responsibilities on campus, offer fire safety tips and remind everyone of the resources available to UCLA students and staff while sipping some energizing free coffee.
For those interested in testing their skills, a laser-driven training device was used to simulate the experience of using a fire extinguisher without the mess or safety concerns of a real fire, allowing participants to learn the correct way to operate a fire extinguisher in both a fun and safe environment. The simulation included putting out a digital fire displayed on a screen and provided hands-on experience that could be critical in an actual emergency. In addition, the individuals who put out the “fire” the fastest were awarded for their quick reflexes and effective use of the fire extinguisher simulator with prizes such as meal vouchers. There were also free giveaways such as a rescue tool that can be kept in one’s car.
UCLA Fire would like to thank everyone who participated. If you missed your chance to stop by, look for more events in the months to come.
