聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 For Fire Prevention Week the Arcola School asked the local fire department if they would be able to stop by with a fire truck and talk about the importance of fire safety.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Blake Brownridge took point on the presentation for the kids and explained what the Arcola Fire Department focuses on, which is mostly fires in Arcola and in the surrounding countryside. They also help with traffic control if the STARS helicopter needs to land in the area.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e鈥檙e not as big as some of the other departments, so when there鈥檚 an accident on the highway Carlyle, Lampman, or Stoughton will respond,鈥� Brownridge explained to the grade 3/4 class.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year Fire Prevention Week focused on, 鈥楬ear the beep where you sleep,鈥� and Brownridge asked youth if they knew where the smoke alarm in their house is and how many they have. Hands shot up as they identified two or three, even five, smoke alarms in their homes.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Brownridge encouraged them to make a fire escape plan with their parents in case of a fire, reminding them that every house is different and it鈥檚 good to know what to do in each home.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The students were then taken on a tour of the fire truck getting to see all of the equipment and even try on a firefighter鈥檚 jacket, which each youth exclaimed, 鈥淚t鈥檚 so heavy!鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 At the end of the presentation a Fire Safety Pledge was said focused on five main points: tell an adult if they see a fire, never play with fire, have a fire escape plan, if caught in a fire stay low and get out quick, and if their clothes are ever on fire they must 鈥淪top. Drop. And Roll.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Not only was the presentation educational, but the students were very excited to see the fire truck鈥檚 lights and see how far it could spray water.
