Marion Fire Department firefighters and Marion County EMS staff paid visit to several schools this past week, part of their Fire Prevention Week efforts.
Students got the opportunity to have an “up close and personal look” at the tools, equipment and vehicles used by first responders in emergencies. The county’s new state-of-the-art dual-purpose fire and rescue truck was also on display, the only one of its exact kind in the state.
Students got a view of the service vehicle used by the fire department and Marion Fire and Rescue Squad and crawled through the department’s mobile fire safety “smoke house.” Annually, firefighters and EMS workers visit schools and daycares to teach tips on fire safety, more importantly practicing a home escape plan to better help the youngsters be prepared for a fire incident. EMS staff member Andrew Herring, also a part-time fighter, said events scheduled in advance helps out a lot. Herring said the results are seen early and it’s great that kids meet emergency workers at a young age, because many of them remember the workers.
“When they get in the back of the ambulance it means a lot because they know it’s a controlled environment and they’re safe.” Fire Prevention Firefighter Dwayne Walters said the safety visits to schools is important and that the firefighters do it whenever asked. Walters said the visits help in preventing structure fires, because the children know to be safer. The department planned to visit four schools and three to five day cares during the week. Fire extinguisher classes are also held for local businesses, he said.
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