Firefighters teach children during Fire Prevention Week
DUNBAR – Fire prevention has never been more important to Connellsville City residents and surrounding communities than now, considering that there have been 17 arsons or suspicious fires in the city since October of last year. In conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week, local fire departments are traveling to schools to teach children what to do in case they get caught up in a situation such as a fire in their home.
Doug Grimm Sr., captain of the Morrell Volunteer Fire Co., said stop, drop and roll is still one of the best rules for children.
“We teach that technique to children in case their clothes catch on fire,” said Grimm. “The rule is stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands and roll over and over to smother the flames.
Grimm also said that he told students to start a family discussion with their parents on fire exit safety, setting a safe place outside the home where family member should meet in case of a fire, and the hazards of playing with matches and lighters.
“Most parents realize that matches and lighters need to be stored up high, preferably in a locked cabinet,” said Grimm. “They also need to discuss an escape plan with their children that includes two ways out of each room and a meeting place outside the home. The plan needs to be practiced with the whole family at least twice a year.
“National Fire Prevention Week is a time when attention is given to promoting fire safety and education,” Grimm continued. “Children and adults need to remember that fire never takes a holiday.”
Grimm said knowing what to do in case of a fire is an important factor in saving lives. He also warned students never to run back into a burning house.
“Sometimes kids get out of a fire only to realize that they left their favorite toy in the house,” continued Grimm. “That’s why I tell them that their mom and dad can always buy them a new toy but they can’t replace them.”
Roy Shipley Jr., director of Fayette County Emergency Management Agency, said Fayette County has 50 fire departments and more than 1,000 volunteer and paid firefighters. He additionally said firefighters respond unselfishly to calls for help day and night, going out in the most adverse conditions to protect property and safeguard lives in our communities.
“And, in addition, firefighters devote hours raising money needed for equipment and training,” said Shipley. “Each and every one of us owes these people a debt of gratitude.”
Grimm and Shipley said this year’s fire prevention theme is “It’s Fire Prevention Week: Test Your Smoke Alarms.”
And they both agreed that the theme is an excellent one.
“With the chill that has been in the air, furnaces are going to be fueled and turned on,” said Shipley.
“Eight of every 10 fire fatalities occur in the home, more so in the cooler months, and many lives could be saved if residents had early warning of the fire,” said Shipley. “Simply put, properly operating smoke detectors save lives.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 11 people per day die in house fires in the United States and Canada.
Grimm said many lives could be saved if people react immediately when a fire alarm sounds.
“Once a fire starts, there is no time to develop a plan,” said Grimm. “The time to plan is before fire strikes. Eighty percent of all fire deaths in the United States and Canada occur in the home.”
Grimm said he also taught children in grades kindergarten through sixth how to get emergency help by calling 911 and how to crawl low under smoke.
“We also tell them not to be afraid when they see us coming in all of our gear because sometimes we look scary in our big coats, boots and air masks,” Grimm said. “I went over the gear step by step, everything we wear when we go out to a fire, and I actually had someone dress in the gear to show the kids what we would look like if we had to come to their house in the middle of the night.”
Grimm said the kids got to touch the gear and try some of it on.
“They actually like that,” said Grimm. “When they see the mask, they realize that it’s like a Halloween mask where you can see out but sometimes people can’t always see in.”
Shipley reminded people that 911 telecommunications officers are performing public education and said that the Fayette County Emergency Management Agency urges all county residents to be a little safer and to test their smoke detectors.
Grimm said firefighters throughout the area are visiting schools this week.