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.
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.
“We’re not as big as some of the other departments, so when there’s an accident on the highway Carlyle, Lampman, or Stoughton will respond,” Brownridge explained to the grade 3/4 class.
This year Fire Prevention Week focused on, ‘Hear the beep where you sleep,’ 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.
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’s good to know what to do in each home.
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’s jacket, which each youth exclaimed, “It’s so heavy!”
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 “Stop. Drop. And Roll.”
Not only was the presentation educational, but the students were very excited to see the fire truck’s lights and see how far it could spray water.
