In 1959 a series of original fire investigations in the area of chemical flame extinction gave birth to the discovery of a new, dry chemical agent called "potassium bicarbonate powder." Powdered bicarbonate of soda had been used as a flame-halting agent for many years. A new highly effective product called "Purple K Powder" became used throughout the Nave and in U.S. municipal and industrial fire protection operations. Purple K is the only dry chemical agent recognized by the National Fire Protection Association for airport crash rescue firefighting. This program will focus on the classes of fire extinguishers and proper use.