What We Do

Frontiers August 2015 Issue

what we do As captain of A Platoon at the Boeing Fire Department at the Philadelphia site, Mike Signora is passionate about safety and helping ensure fires and other emergencies are rare events at Boeing. I remember once seeing a poster on a firehouse wall that said, “In case of fire, break glass.” It depicted a little fireman inside a firebox with a hose and an axe, just sitting there ready to go. I always thought that was funny because that’s how I think. As a Boeing firefighter I’m always ready to go. If a fire happens, I want to be there. Actually, at the Boeing Philadelphia site, my days are spent mostly on prevention. It’s a diverse site where we build Chinooks and V-22s, manufacture composites, and test, design and engineer the products our customers depend on. As the captain of the A Platoon, I lead my team through the site daily—on 24-hour shifts—inspecting, testing and monitoring fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers and fire-rated materials. Essentially, my job is to keep our people safe so they can go on designing and building the products that keep the world safe. Philadelphia is a pretty cool part of Boeing. I get to work on the flight ramp whenever Chinook helicopters roll from the factory floor into flight testing. The pilots appreciate the safety net, knowing we’re a step away and ready to 08 Boeing Frontiers support any aircraft situation that might arise. Their lives are in my hands. I don’t take that lightly. No one wants a fire to happen. But if it does, I know I’m fully prepared. I’ve been trained in engine, truck, hazmat, aircraft rescue firefighting, emergency medical services and confined-space capabilities. I feel like I can handle almost anything you throw at me. A few years ago that training came into play for me, during an accident just outside the facility. Two semi-trucks crashed on Interstate 95 and because of the magnitude of the crash and resulting fire, local authorities called in my Boeing fire unit to help get the scene under control. They knew we could get the job done. That’s a good feeling. One of my favorite things about working for Boeing is getting to work side by side with my childhood buddy Shawn. His father was a volunteer firefighter at the Prospect Park Fire Company just down the road from Boeing. When Shawn joined that department, I started hanging out at the fire station too—and found my calling. A few years ago I even became the chief at that local fire station. It’s all come full circle. And when it comes time to break that glass, I’m ready! n megan.e.galv in@boeing.com Burning desire This Boeing firefighter’s training prepared him for any emergency by Capt. Mike Signora, as told to Megan Galv in


Frontiers August 2015 Issue
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