Smithfield fire department drills students
SMITHFIELD – A teacher runs across the parking lot toward Mount Moriah Christian School Principal Lori Tate, her eyes wide, her voice frantic. “I don’t have Alexandra,” she cries.
“It’s OK,” Tate says calmly. “Just get back in line.”
The teacher protests, but Tate ushers her back toward the sidewalk where the rest of the school’s 113 students are standing.
Tate watches as firemen swarm her school building, squawking into their radios.
“All clear.”
“First floor, all clear.”
From a side door Alexandra, secure with one of the Smithfield Volunteer firefighters, peeks out at her classmates as the drill continues, watching her teacher walk back to the curb.
The drills are just a small part of fire prevention week, and Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, along with dozens of others across the region, are working to help everyone from area children to their own members to take some time and learn about how to be fire-safe.
“This is something the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department does every year,” Tate said. “Last year they started pulling kids out of line and it is a great way to test our procedures. They provide invaluable life lessons.”
Smithfield Fire Chief Bruce Graham, fitted in his dress fire uniform, his Dalmatian tie pined neatly to his shirt, watches as the students assemble and does a final check of the building.
“Pulling kids from line really shakes a lot of people up,” Graham said. “It is important to keep teachers accountable.”
The fire drill is just part of the day-long activities at the school, which also include fire demonstrations, exploring fire trucks, ambulances and emergency gear and a visit from an emergency helicopter.
Graham said fire prevention week and the education associated with it are keys to success in case of a real fire and said the schools are cooperative and appreciative of the local station’s effort.
Similar programs take place across the district each year.
According to Vince Pascarell, who is a teacher at Fayette County Head Start and a firefighter for Denbo-Vista 6 Volunteer Fire Department, area youth will enjoy about an hour-long program put on by his fire station, that allows them to sit in the fire engines, use fire hoses and try on fire equipment.
Pascarell said four classrooms of 3 to 5-year-old students will tour the fire station to learn about how the fire company works and have a little fun too.
“We do program to teach then about fire escapes and how to stop, drop and roll, but we also let them have fun with it,” Pascarell said.
And kids aren’t the only ones that area fire companies and organizations target during the week.
The American Red Cross reminded residents that fire prevention during the winter is pivotal for the region’s safety.
“As colder temperatures move into the forecast, it is essential for families to be responsible when using additional heating sources,” Red Cross Director of Social Services for the local state chapter said in a press release. “During the cold months, people may forget to turn off kerosene heaters, electric blankets or the stove. It is important that families take precautions to prevent fires.”
The Red Cross also directed residents to take simple precautions like checking and installing smoke detectors and posting emergency phone numbers for easy access.
As for Graham and Smithfield, they will continue to talk with area youth at local schools, including Albert Gallatin High School where Graham also discusses vehicle safety, throughout the week along with partner Fairchance Fireman’s EMS.
“We just want to teach people how to reduce fire risk,” Graham said. “Then, if there are problems, they can be corrected in the case of an actual emergency.”
But the commander said he knows that kids learn the most when they have fun too and noted that the kids at Mount Moriah are special too, taking a moment every time the fire whistle blows to say a prayer for the firemen.
The fire department donated two bicycles to the school as part of the day’s activities. Tate said the bikes will be awarded at the end of the year, based on attendance.
Tim Sutton, an EMT supervisor with Fairchance, said the support from his own department as well as Smithfield, allows the men to spend the entire week helping to further fire education, something he said is critical for the region’s safety.
“If kids come out of this remembering one thing, just something, then it could help save one life and that makes it all worth it,” Sutton said.