| Fort McCoy Fire and Emergency Services needs your help. A serious problem has been developing on Fort McCoy in regard to improper disposal of smoking material.
From Jan. 1, 2004 through May 31, the Fort McCoy Fire and Emergency Services has responded to six minor fires near enlisted barracks with the cause being improper disposal of smoking material.
During the investigation it was determined that Soldiers staying on the second floor of the barracks stood on the building fire escape while smoking. When finished, Soldiers drop the cigarette butts off the second story landing toward the ground.
In the six cases where these fires occurred, the discarded butt hit the cement landing located outside the lower level exit, careened toward the building, and settled between the landing and the building, resulting in a fire.
In all instances the fires occurred during daylight hours and only minor damage and no injuries occurred. If a fire occurred during the night, the risk of major damage and even worse, loss of life, would increase.
Soldiers and members of the civilian work force are reminded they must abide by the guidelines in U.S. Army Reserve Command Regulation 420-3 and Army Regulation 600-63;
Smoking of tobacco products is prohibited in all Department of the Army-occupied workplaces.
- A designated outdoor smoking area will provide a reasonable measure of protection from the elements. However, the designated areas will be at least 50 feet from common points of ingress/egress (to a building) and will not be located in areas that are
commonly used by nonsmokers.
- Smoking of any tobacco products is prohibited in all military vehicles and aircraft and all official vans and buses.
Before disaster strikes, your help in curtailing this would be greatly appreciated.
For more information, call (608) 388-4151/4077.
(Submitted by Fort McCoy Fire and Emergency Services.)
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