Fire Prevention Month visits spark students' interest

Local firefighters recently visited Plymouth and Ridge Park Elementary schools to help students learn more about fire safety and the important role that firefighters play in the community.

Harmonville’s battalion chief Mike Sturm (son of former Ridge Park Elementary School teacher and firefighter Donna Sturm) led assemblies on Oct. 28. He emphasized the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home and what students can do in their own homes to be prepared for emergencies. 

Mr. Sturm also showed students the equipment that firefighters use when responding to emergencies. He demonstrated how firefighters use thermal imaging equipment to figure out where hot spots are, and showed students various tools, such as axes and pike poles, that might be used to get to a fire.

Firefighters also dressed in their gear and turned on their air tanks to show students what they look and sound like when they are on the scene of an emergency. The firefighters then invited kindergarten teacher Mary Kate Webster to try on some of the heavy equipment.

Outside, students were able to look at fire engines and talk one-on-one with some of the firefighters from Plymouth and Harmonville.

Fire prevention lessons are often observed in October in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, which was established in the early 1900s. Schools across the district host assemblies with local firefighters who share important prevention tips as well as how to get to safety if a fire occurs in someone’s home.