Various groups competed to see which one could pull a fire truck across the parking lot of the Downtown Lyceum at the Guantanamo Naval Base, as part of the inaugural event for the 2026 Fire Prevention Week.
The unique competition involved measuring which group could move the emergency vehicle the fastest across the parking lot and kicked off a week of activities dedicated to fire prevention and safety.
In the images released by the base, two units of Pierce de la Marina can be seen, identified by the numbers 1521 and 1531, with the slogan "Protecting those who defend the United States" inscribed on the side.
The commander of the naval station, Captain Michael Stephen, formalized the start of the week by signing a proclamation that reaffirms the base's commitment to fire safety.
The theme for 2026 is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower", focused on everyday charging habits that can reduce the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries and keep homes and communities safer.
The week's schedule was not limited to the start with the truck.
Last Tuesday, firefighters visited the Child Development Center along with Sparky, the fire dog, and conducted demonstrations of personal protective equipment, tours of emergency vehicles, and exercises to teach children how to call 911 in case of an emergency.
A day later, the activity moved to the Villamar CDC, where there were also demonstrations of protective gear, tours of the vehicles, and educational activities on the safe loading of devices.
On Thursday, firefighters visited W.T. Sampson School with the program "Build Your Fire Safety Superhero," focusing on safe loading practices and checklists to take home.
An interactive activity was scheduled for Saturday the 10th at the NEX, aimed at identifying fire hazards and promoting safe battery charging practices.
During school visits, the children also learned the technique "Stop, Drop, and Roll", explored the fire truck, and practiced with real hoses.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA for short) has sponsored this public observance since 1922. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed it a national observance, and it is now regarded as the longest-running public health campaign in the United States.
The naval base, which operates as a practically autonomous community with about 6,000 military personnel, civilians, and contractors, has its own infrastructure and services that allow it to function independently of the rest of Cuba.
The facility also has 59 fuel tanks with a capacity of 35 million gallons, a volume that underscores the importance of maintaining fire prevention and response services.
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