GREAT BASIN WATER CO. OPERATOR COMES TO THE RESCUE Puts out vehicle fire with aid of annual fire safety training
Pahrump, NV. – On Friday afternoon, May 1, 2020, a Great Basin Water Co. operator was returning to work from his lunch break when he observed a truck on the side of the road completely engulfed in flames. As he approached the corner of Country Place and Highway 160, the operator noticed an older model Chevy truck had a fire in the engine compartment and several other citizens had stopped to assist the driver.
“The first person there had an extinguisher, but I could not help but notice driving up that all he did was point and shoot. I jumped out, grabbed my truck’s extinguisher, ran up, and using the correct “Pull, Aim, Shoot, Sweep” (P.A.S.S) method, killed 98% of the fire. The rest was put out by a guy with a shovel and dirt,” according to the operator.
GBWC requires annual training that includes the proper use of a fire extinguisher. Part of that training includes the P.A.S.S. method of extinguisher use. After six years of receiving this training, the operator felt like this was second nature to him “When you make it a habit it kicks in naturally. Practice makes perfect,” said the operator, stressing the importance of this kind of training, “Don’t take them for granted, it kicks in with adrenalin and instinct. I am just blessed to have the equipment available from the company.”
According to the operator, there were several other citizens there doing anything they could to help from trying to throw water on the fire from water bottles to shoveling dirt onto the flames.
“The employees of GBWC are proud citizens of the communities they serve as exemplified by the selfless act demonstrated by our operator,” stated Wendy Barnett, President of GBWC. “Our company instills a safety culture that includes regular safety meetings, equipment training, and continuing education. I am confident our focus on safety and training combined with great instinct and bravery by our operator resulted in the fire being quickly extinguished without injuries to anyone.” Barnett added that “GBWC says a big thank you to the Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Department for their annual training.”
Great Basin Water Co. (GBWC) is a privately-owned water and wastewater utility and began serving Nevada in 1996. GBWC has four divisions: Cold Springs, Pahrump, Spanish Springs, and Spring Creek, serving more than 16,000 customers.
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