Locked on Fire Safety Is Everyone’S Responsibility
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Desert Voice Magazine Serving U.S. and Coalition Forces in Kuwait DVAugust 29, 2007 Locked on Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility As the Commanding program in place and that DV Contents General of Third it is being executed. This Army, I have many program is not meant to Page 3 responsibilities, none inconvenience you; it is in As Ramadan approaches, more important than place to save your life and U.S. servicemembers and ci- ensuring Servicemembers safeguard the equipment vilians must adhere to laws. are as safe as possible you need to get your job as they carry out their done! missions. I must also We need your help Page 4 ensure that our to ensure these The Camp Arifjan-based Joint Servicemembers Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb fire prevention Mobile Training Team wraps work in places Third Army Commanding General programs are in up its year-long deployment. that are as safe place and are being as they can be. We face many hazards conducted. You can help in several Page 8 as we go about our daily business, but ways. facing a fire where we live or work is Participate in scheduled fire drills; LNOs step up to help guide probably one of the most frightening don’t ignore them or take the attitude servicemembers to where and dangerous. they aren’t important. Historically, they are going. Recently we’ve had a rash of tent the more we train, the faster and more fires that have cost us over $500,000 automatic our responses become. Page 10 in lost property, to include Soldiers’ This quick response during a real fire Father-son duo deploy and personal gear. While we have been could very well save your life one day. work together at Camp extremely fortunate these fires have not Also, make sure you know where the killed or injured anyone, the impact on emergency exits are and how to use Arifjan. our mission has been enormous since available fire extinguishers, and activate we lost essential equipment that must fire alarms. If a fire does occur, this On the cover now be replaced. That means time and knowledge will save precious time, A sniper from 3rd Squadron, money which could have been spent equipment, facilities and maybe lives. 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, on operations must now be spent on You can also help prevent fires by based out of Germany, looks replacing what was lost. practicing fire-safe habits. Your fire down the scope of his sniper Commanders throughout Third Army prevention program personnel can help rifle at a training facility near have an obligation to train and inform you identify risks. By doing such things Camp Buehring, Aug. 21. For the personnel in the identification and as smoking only in designated smoking full story turn to page 6. elimination of fire hazards, enforce fire areas, not overloading electrical circuits, Photo by Pfc. Christopher T. Grammer prevention regulations, and ensure the and turning off electrical appliances availability and usage of fire protection when not in use, you greatly reduce the facilities and activities. All of us must risk of a fire. recognize, support, and emphasize fire We must continually be on guard Contact us prevention at all levels. against fires and work hard at Comments, questions, suggestions Each building and work section is preventing them. By practicing fire story ideas? Call the Desert Voice editor at 430-6334 or e-mail at required to have an appointed building prevention, we protect our equipment, [email protected]. coordinator who is responsible for and more importantly, our people. ensuring there is a fire prevention Patton’s own! Volume 29, Issue 13 Third Army Commanding General 50th Public Affairs Detachment Commander The Desert Voice is an authorized publication for Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb Capt. Jeffrey Pray members of the Department of Defense. Contents Third Army Command Sgt. Maj. 50th Public Affairs Detachment NCOIC of the Desert Voice are not necessarily the official Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin G. Ashe Sgt. Jacob McDonald views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or Third Army Public Affairs Officer Desert Voice Editor Department of the Army. The editorial content of Spc. Giancarlo Casem this publication is the responsibility of the Third Col. Thomas Nickerson Army Public Affairs Office. This newspaper is Third Army Dep. PAO (FWD) Desert Voice Staff Writers DV published by Al-Qabandi United, a private firm, Lt. Col. James A. Sams Spc. Jennifer McFadden Desert Voice which is not affiliated with Third U.S.Army. All Spc. Wes D. Landrum Magazine copy will be edited. The Desert Voice is produced Pfc. Christopher T. Grammer weekly by the 50th Public Affairs Detachment. Find us online at www.arcent.army.mil. 2 Desert Voice August 29, 2007 Holy month of Ramadan brings joy, happiness, rules Story by fasting are the sick, pregnant women, said. Spc. Giancarlo Casem children and those traveling. Malki said it is important for Desert Voice editor “It is an actual breaking of the law in Americans in Muslim countries to know Kuwait,” Malki said. “In some countries about Ramadan. The month of September marks the it is frowned upon, here in Kuwait, it’s the “It is important first of all because end of summer and the start of fall, it also law. The sentence is usually one month of the law, we don’t want them jailed, marks the beginning of Ramadan. jail time, or until October 13.” stopped or shamed in public in Kuwait, Ramadan is the holiest month in the Malki said there are myths about the last thing we need is an international Islamic faith. This year, it starts Sep. Ramadan that many Americans do not incident,” he said. “The main reason is out 12 and ends Oct. 13. During this holy understand. of respect for this culture. The Kuwaiti month, there are special laws that all U.S. “They just think Muslims just starve people have hosted us for many years servicemembers, civilians and contractors themselves they might even laugh, but I after their liberation, and most of them must adhere to when they are in the think most Christians can understand, just are thankful for it. We have to respect the Third Army/U.S. Army Central area of like when they go through Lent,” Malki country’s people by following their (laws), responsibility. said. “Most people just don’t really know just like you would expect anyone coming This is the time that millions of about it that much.” to the U.S. to follow your own country’s Muslims believe the Holy Quran was He also said it is rude to offer food to (laws).” brought to the people, said Talal Malki, someone who is fasting. Out of respect, For Sabih, it all comes down to respect. Host Nation Relations, cultural awareness servicemembers and civilian contractors “If you respect others,” Sabih said. trainer. should also try to cover up tattoos, Malki “They will respect you.” “Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar,” Malki said. “In this month we believe the Holy Quran came down to people.” I Want You During this month Muslims begin fasting from dawn to sunset. They also visit each other for dinner and give gifts to each other, Malki said. “The purpose is to have closeness to -Don’t Eat -Don’t Chew God and to get a feeling of what the poor and hungry people go through,” he said. -Don’t Drink Gum “It also shows God your willingness to -Don’t Smoke let go of the basic needs of our bodies. By controlling our bodies, it strengthens the mind over body.” During this time, Muslims must adhere to laws and edicts set forth by religious leaders and the Quran, “(Muslims) cannot eat, drink, smoke chew in public, even servicemen and women outside the U.S. camps,” he said. “You have to follow the rules, if you’re inside your own home or inside the camp or embassy, then it is no problem.” If a Muslim breaks these rules his fasting maybe voided, said Sgt. Maj. Sabih al Shannari, Kuwait Army liaison To Be Considerate non-commissioned officer for Camp Remember, Ramadan is from Sep. 12 to Oct. 13. Arifjan, ASG-Kuwait. From sunrise to sunset, obey the law! “You have to be aware about all the rules of Ramadan to do it the When you are off-post, including inside vehicles, correct way,” Sabih said. “If you break remember these laws. These laws apply to all U.S. something, your fast will be spoiled.” servicemembers, contractors and civilians. Sabih said the only ones exempt from Kuwait August 29, 2007 Desert Voice 3 Joint Mobile Training Team trained so others may live Courtesy photo Spc. Annetta Radka, Spc. Melanie Norton and Sgt David J. Schwartz (from left to right), all from 557th Med. Co., conduct Vehicle Extraction Training with the Kuwaiti National Guard, June 2007. Medics wrap-up memorable year Story by encouraged the team to branch out Sgt. David J. Schwartz and train at other locations, their CLS 557th Medical Company program would not have been as suc- cessful. To save lives, ambulances and The team has trained more than medical personnel are always ready. 1,100 servicemembers throughout However, saving a life may require the Third Army/U.S. Army Central quick and immediate action by the area of responsibility. They have also nearest personnel. trained servicemembers from other This is where the Joint Mobile nations such as Kuwait and Japan. Training Team comes in. “The most special moment of the Assigned to the 557th Medical tour came in July when we graduated Company Ground Ambulance, the our 1000th student,” Norton said.