By Stephen Smoot
In October 1871, six years after the close of the Civil War and during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, a clumsy cow kicked off one of the worst urban disasters in American history. More than 50 years after Chicago succumbed to the blaze, President Calvin Coolidge marked the event by proclaiming the first National Fire Prevention Week.
Since 1925, National Fire Prevention Week has been the longest running public health observance in the nation.
Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, 99 years after the establishment of National Fire Prevention Week, welcomed students from the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes of Franklin Elementary School.
Bringing these ages of children in to learn about the dangers of fire and how to prevent it has even more urgency. According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, “more than half of fires set by children are started by preschoolers and kindergarteners.” Most have no malevolent intent, but are trying to satisfy their curiosity about fire.
Education from those with experience can help children to learn while also deterring them from experimenting on their own with fire.
Brian DiFalco of FVFD shared that “we are happy to provide this vital education, and while we hope the information provided will never be used, children are never too young to learn about fire safety.”
Students learned important information that could potentially save their own lives, as well as those of families and other loved ones. Firefighters taught about dialing 911 in an emergency, smoke detectors, forming family exit plans, and safety tips.
Firefighters demonstrated how to use their gear while wearing their equipment. This helped the students to see what firefighters coming into a fire look like. At the same time, they learned to never hide from fire fighters who are in their home during a fire or other emergency.
“Everyone got a tour of the engine and a highlight for everyone was getting to spray some water,” DiFalco stated.
