During Fire Prevention Week, three members of Assiniboia Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Casey Topola, Dave Martin, and Jasper Moneo, visited the Assiniboia 7th Avenue School to talk about fire safety on October 4.
They started off by showing a short video with Sparky the fire safety dog teaching key concepts such as having two exits and calling 911 in case of a fire. The students were quizzed on the procedures and they answered easily.
Next, the volunteer firefighters demonstrated each piece of equipment that they wear and carry. In a fire call, the firefighters have one minute to put on their gear. The jacket, pants and boots have a thick lining and covering that can withstand heat up to 800 Celsius. Together with the air tank, a firefighter is wearing about 45 lbs. of gear. Wearing all of the gear, Martin and Moneo showed the students how to crawl on the floor to avoid smoke in a fire situation.
Assiniboia’s volunteer firefighters take training through the Saskatchewan Rural Volunteer Fire Fighters Association. The rigorous training ensures that they are ready for a crisis. Before departing the school, the trio handed out booklets on fire safety to each of the grades.
Topola also announced the winners of the fire department’s colouring contest. The winners were Dylan, Halee, Jayla, Maisey and Kenley. Each year, the fire department holds a colouring contest and they display the pictures in their fire hall all year until the new winners are announced. The firefighters took the winners back to the station in their fire trucks to give them a tour and have a pizza lunch with their parents. At the station, the students viewed all of the trucks and the equipment used for rescue and fighting fires like the jaws of life and the thermal imaging camera.
