Staff Get Hands-On With Fire Safety During Extinguisher Training

jLiving employees took a break from their usual routines last week to learn something that could one day save lives — how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

The hands-on training gave everyone the chance to tackle a controlled fire using real extinguishers. After a quick safety briefing and demonstration, each participant had the opportunity to try it out for themselves using the PASS method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep.

For some, it was a refresher to stay up to date; for others, it was a chance to learn a completely new skill.

“It’s one of those things you hope you never have to use, but it’s so important to know how,” said Housing Manager Tanja, who took part in the session. “It was actually really helpful to try it out in a safe environment.”

The goal of the training was to build confidence and ensure staff feel prepared in case of an emergency. Employees also learned about different types of fires and which extinguishers are best suited for each one.

“We want to make sure staff don’t just walk past fire extinguishers every day — we want them to feel confident they’d know exactly what to do if a fire ever broke out,” said Head of Housing and training organiser, Lori. “But it’s also important to remember that untrained individuals, including tenants, should not attempt to use a fire extinguisher. It can be dangerous and should always be left to trained staff or emergency services personnel.”

The session was part of jLiving’s ongoing efforts to promote safety and awareness across the Association.