【The TFD Came a Long Way】

The Tokyo Fire Department (TFD) was formed as a municipal fire service body on March 7, 1948. In 1949, the TFD then saw the foundation of a command and control center, the Music Band and others as part of its organization. In 1960, the TFD extended its mission over to the Tama area, shouldering the fire service duties in this county region. This was followed by the establishment of the Fire Science Laboratory (Fire Technology and Safety Laboratory at present) in 1961, the Aviation Unit in 1966, and the Special Rescue Team in 1969. It was in 1976 that the TFD relocated itself to the present location (Otemachi, Chiyoda Ward). Incidentally yet notably, we had Cue-tah coming up in 2001―the TFD mascot leading this mail magazine project!

The TFD has Tokyo “divided” into ten districts for its mission; about 18,000 personnel protect Japan’s capital, working at firefighting, EMS, rescue and fire prevention.

In case of a catastrophe beyond Japan, the TFD also sends its members over to the disaster scene on request as part of the International Rescue Team. The TFD has so far played a prior role in many locations out of Japan.

【TFD Fire Engines’ Color...Why the RED?】

Fire apparatus come out in red, white, yellow, blue, black, etc. in foreign countries. Meanwhile, Japan has only RED for fire engines. This is because of the related law designating VERMILION to fire engines, and WHITE to other emergency vehicles.

Why the VERMILION? The fire apparatus firstly imported to Japan were all red. That could have been why Japanese fire engines were also painted RED, precisely VERMILION.

【Fire Extinguisher】

• What would you take up to put out a fire? You would say, “Fire extinguisher.” Now’s the time to learn how to use it!
• Fire
  Yell out “FIRE!” for other people’s help to put it out sooner. Give a cry “Kajida!” if you have a lot of Japanese people around. (Kajida!: Japanese for “Fire!”)
• Firefighting
  Fire extinguishers work before a fire reaches the ceiling. Stop firefighting and get out as soon as you have flames on to the ceiling.
• Extinguisher
  Actions you need to take: ① Pull the pin. ② Point the hose at the base of the fire. ③ Squeeze the lever.
• REMEMBER! Direct the hose at the burning item, NOT the rising flames.
• The TFD’s Life Safety Learning Centers (“BOUSAI-KAN”) are the places for you to have a try at an extinguisher for “on-the-screen” firefighting and many more challenges.
  Choose and contact the Center if you are interested!

IKEBUKURO Life Safety Learning Center

HONJO Life Safety Learning Center

TACHIKAWA Life Safety Learning Center

【The Second Week of June―That’s the Hazardous Materials Safety Week】

• Hazardous Materials Safety Week: June 4 (Sunday) ― June 10 (Saturday), 2017
  You might find hazardous materials around us–gasoline, kerosene, light oil and many more. These fuels and other hazmat have a sign such as “OPEN FLAMES PROHIBITED” on their containers. Please check.