CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – “The two biggest problems we have on (Contingency Operating Base) Basra, are unattended burn barrels and out of control burn barrels,” said Station Captain Charles Olson of the COB Basra Fire Department. Any time Soldiers or other personnel burn anything, they need to apply for a permit through the Basra Fire Dept.
Permits are issued to individuals or unit by burn location.
“We are responsible for issuing burn permits for ALL welding, cutting, brazing, open burns, BBQ and burn barrels,” said Gary L. Garrison, chief, Basra Fire Dept. “For burn barrels, we will issue the permit up to six months.”
“If someone wants to set up a grill, they can apply,” said Olson. “We send someone out to evaluate the location and determine if everything is kosher. We have to make sure there is adequate clearance from structures and there is a functional fire extinguisher handy,” he added. “Then we can award a permit.”
There is a standard operating procedure, dated June 29, 2009, available to help personnel determine requirements for burn pits, burn barrels and grills. It lists instructions on how to build a burn-barrel incinerator, what is prohibited to burn and what should be turned over to HAZMAT for disposal.
Any questions, to report a fire related emergency or to request a burn permit, contact the Basra Fire Department at DSN: 858-4557.
