Fire Safety Day at WS Elementary

Willow Springs and Eleven Point Fire Departments were at Willow Springs Elementary for Fire Safety Day on October 18. “It is important to teach children the importance of fire prevention at a young age because it could determine life or death for them in the event of a fire,” said Willow Springs Fire Chief Vance Farmer. “Children have a unique way of only doing what they know and are taught when they are put on the spot in a high tension situation. Most children who aren't taught about fire prevention and techniques for escaping usually hide during fires, and that can end very tragically.

While we are teaching fire prevention, we teach the children how to identify the sounds of smoke detectors/fire alarms as well as knowing two ways out of their bedrooms and houses to safely get outside. We encourage them to get their families involved with establishing a meeting place outside. The children get to see and hear smoke detectors, and they are told to look throughout their houses to make sure smoke detectors are installed

While I teach fire prevention, I like to have firefighters there dressed casually with fire gear on the floor in front of the children. During the course of our presentation, we have the kids tell the firefighter what pieces of gear they need to wear. Ultimately the children get to see a regular person transform into a fully geared firefighter, and it teaches them not to be scared when coming in contact with a fully geared firefighter during an emergency.

We use "Sparky," our fire department mascot, to help teach and deliver our message. All the children love Sparky and they really pay attention to what we are delivering when he is there. We make the class fun but most importantly, we make sure the kids understand the importance of knowing what to look and listen for, and we are repetitive on telling them to get out and stay out if they ever experience a fire. The feedback I receive from lots of parents is outstanding. The children go home and deliver the message to their families and look for smoke detectors and ask about ways out of the house during emergencies. We teach fire prevention to Headstart through fourth grade.”