Preschool students learn about fire safety

PLAINS – Plains Head Start and Agape Christian Preschool came together Wednesday at Plains-Paradise Rural Fire to learn about fire safety.

October is fire safety month in the United States and for the last several years the programs have gone to the rural fire department as part of their fire safety education.

“This is by far their favorite activity,” said Head Start teacher Jesse Butcher. “They really like coming to see the trucks.”

For the Head Start program, every year they have a fire safety unit as part of their in-home visit. The goal is to make sure everyone knows how to prevent fires and what to do if something catches on fire.

Students had three stations of activities to learn about the fire department and their equipment. The three stations included a fire truck, gear, and the jaws-of-life. The day started with students who saw firefighters in their full gear and showed the kids they should not be afraid when someone is dressed that way.

The students and their parents split into three groups to visit the various stations. At the equipment station, students could try on firefighter gear such as their helmets, masks, coats and boots. The students were surprised at how heavy the helmets were. The ever-shy preschoolers however did not miss out on the opportunity to dress like a firefighter equipped with their own plastic helmets.

The second station gave the students the opportunity to see inside the fire truck. The students were given instructions from Thomas Langmack and Jim Henry about the equipment firefighters use in different situations such as a hazardous materials situation. Students got a good laugh when Langmack said the firefighters used a diaper to clean up oil spills and other liquid when on the ground. The diapers could be used to prevent contamination to groundwater in Plains. After the overview of the truck, students were able to crawl around the backseat, sit behind the wheel, and most importantly – ring the horn and scare each other. Some of the preschoolers were timid about getting on the truck. For firefighters, educating the students makes their job worthwhile.

“The best part is when the kids come out,” Lieutenant Pat Erving said. “The worst part is when they start crying when someone rings the horn. We try to teach them not to be scared and that we’re here to help.”

Erving was also the leader of the final station – the jaws. The Jaws-of-life are a hydraulic rescue tool used by firefighters to cut people out of cars when they are entrapped. The students, however, were able to cut up tow chain and soda cans with the device. Erving asked the students if any of them wanted to try. Even though they were shy at first, nearly every student took the opportunity to cut some metal with the jaws.

“This is a fun activity we do every year for fire prevention month in October,” Agape teacher Tifini Saner said. “They are nice enough to let us come out and show us what firefighters actually do. For many of the students, this is their first time seeing the equipment up close, so they are a little scared at first, but they just love it.”

To end the day, the students were able to see the fire truck in action. A small group of three firefighters assembled to spray the hose from the truck and showed students how the water system works on the truck.

Assistant Chief James Russell gave the students booklets and stickers as souvenirs to go home with and remember their experience at the firehouse.