Fire safety program presented to West Greene youths
Charley Orndoff, a pre-kindergarten student at the West Greene Elementary Center, shakes hands with Center Township VFD Chief Charlie Jones during the department’s fire safety program at the center on Oct. 20. One of the goals of the program is to teach children to not be afraid of firefighters and their gear. (Photo by Steve Barrett)
The popular fire safety mascot “Sparky” spends time with youths at Crystal’s Children Center in Rogersville during a visit on Oct. 20, as part of the Center Township Volunteer Fire Department’s fire safety program. (Photo by Steve Barrett)
ROGERSVILLE — Students at the West Greene Elementary Center were recently treated to a special program that focused on the importance of fire safety and prevention.
On Oct. 20, members of the Center Township Volunteer Fire Department visited the students to present a program that touched on a wide array of fire safety topics. A different version of the program was presented to three separate groups: Pre-kindergarteners, kindergarteners through second-graders, and third- and fourth-graders and students in the learning support class.
In between sessions at the elementary school, the fire department also held the fire safety program at Crystal’s Children Center in Rogersville.
The interactive, entertaining and educational program — which coincided with National Fire Prevention Week — provided demonstrations on smoke detectors and firefighter gear, and included a presentation on the importance of families establishing a “meeting place” in the event of a fire.
Center Township VFD Chief Charlie Jones told the students that the program is important to the volunteer firefighters.
“We are here because we care about you,” he said to the the pre-K students. “We are your friends.”
During the program, Jones demonstrated working and non-working smoke detectors and emphasized the importance of having them placed in different locations throughout the students’ homes. He added that students should become familiar with the sounds the smoke detectors make and also encouraged them to remind their parents to make sure the batteries in the smoke detectors are operable.
He also encouraged the students to practice drills at home with their families and also establish a “meeting place” where family members can quickly and safely meet should a fire erupt.
“If you hear the alarm, go to the meeting place if you can,” he said to the students. “And if you are in a room and can’t get out, stay near the door — don’t hide in the closet or under your bed — so the firefighters can find you. And make sure your toys are away from the door.”
Jones also stressed the importance of never playing with matches or lighters, and cautioned them that if they found these items in their house they should immediately hand them over to their parents or caregivers.
Jones also introduced the members of the fire department who were in attendance and then put on his gear to show the students all of the equipment that the firefighters had to wear when called to a fire. He explained each individual piece of the apparatus and encouraged the students not to be afraid of firefighters.
He then encouraged the students to walk up to the firefighters and shake their hands and talk to them, to further drive home the point that they should not be afraid of the firefighters.
“Underneath all of that equipment, they are regular people, just like you, and they want to help you,” he told the students.
The students were then treated to an appearance by the popular fire safety mascot “Sparky,” who arrived on a small fire truck and talked to the students about safety and reviewed with them what they had learned from the program.
At the conclusion of each program, students were invited to tour the fire departments’ emergency vehicles as firefighters explained what each vehicle and their accessories were responsible for in the event of a fire.
Prior to the program, students at each school participated in various contests that focused on fire safety. Prizes were awarded to the winners of the contests during the program. The following students were announced as winners for the contests.
The kindergarten “Safe Place” Mats coloring contest: First place, Malokai Phillips; second place, Jensen Kosk; third place, Samantha Keener; fourth place, Rylan Knight; and fifth place, Keira Collins.
The first grade “Fire Trucks” coloring contest: First place, Joel Grimes; second place, Elaina Beazell; third place, Reese Six; fourth place, Jessica Keener; and fifth place, Aiden Pattison.
The second grade “Sparky with Flag” coloring contest: First place, Jillissa Yeater; second place, Zianna McDonnel; third place, Brent Harris; fourth place, Aubrey Ellis; and fifth place, Drake St. Clair. These pictures will be given to area military veterans.
The third grade coloring contest, featuring the poster titled “Practice Fire Safety Every Day”: First place, Chaucer Von Scio; second place, Chloe Harris; third place, Lily Bihun; fourth place, Aiyanna Fenning; and fifth place, Mason Ansell.
The fourth grade “Fire Trucks” coloring contest: First place, Lydia St. Clair; second place, Morgan Whipkey; third place, Robert Kinney; and fourth place, Danny Jacobs.
The learning support class “Sparky with Flag” coloring contest: First place, Natalie Phillips; second place, Austin Gump; third place, Jenna Shuman; fourth place, Damien Nice and Dezarae McClellan; and fifth place, Braedon Gilbert and Rusty Herrick.
The recent program marked the 12th year that the Center Township Volunteer Fire Department has offered the fire safety program to area youths. Jones thanked the West Greene School District for allowing the program to be offered. He also said the department is proud to have been able to provide this service to the school for more than a decade.
“We are grateful that the school district supports this program, because without that support we wouldn’t be able to teach the kids the importance of fire safety,” he said. “The kids seem to enjoy it, they pay attention and they get excited about Sparky, about safety and about their future … hopefully, they will share what they learn with their siblings and parents, and all families will practice being safe.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association’s website:
n One-quarter of home fire deaths were caused by fires that started in the bedroom. Another quarter resulted from fires in the living room, family room or den.
n Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
n In 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 365,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,560 deaths, 11,075 civilian injuries, and $7 billion in direct damage.
n On average, seven people die in U.S. home fires per day.
n Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.
n Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths.
n According to an NFPA survey, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
n Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, less than half ever practiced it.
More information about fire safety can be found on the NFPA’s website, www.nfpa.org.