Oct. 10, 2007 — More than 460 students, chaperones and teachers toured C Company Fire station in Richmond Wednesday for Fire Prevention Week.
Station visits are also being held this week at Cotton Valley, Grove Place and Frederiksted fire stations.
"Educating the community happens at all levels," said Capt. Barbara Frost, a 24-year veteran on the force. "Teachers learn from these visits, too."
Sixty kindergartners from Lew Muckle Elementary School came to the station Wednesday morning. Sgt. Clifford Joseph began the tour by showing them the different tools firefighters use.
He lined up the tools along with matches and lighters, and stressed that matches and lighters are tools, not toys. The children were all eyes and ears standing in a semicircle around Joseph. He quizzed them about what he told them, and the child who got the most questions right was named the junior fire chief of the class.
Firefighter Tamara Lezama, dressed in protective clothing, told the students never to be frightened of her in firefighting outfit. "I am just a lady under this gear," she said.
Cpl. Cheryl McIntosh, coordinator of school visits, gave the bulk of the safety rules to the children. In case of a fire they should never hide under a bed or enclosed area, she told them.
"Tell mom and dad to get smoke detectors in bedrooms," McIntosh said.
She also told them never to stick things in toasters or outlets. All of the children appeared to be familiar with the stop, drop and roll rule.
The youngsters then got a chance to use a small fire hose in teams of three under Joseph's direction. "Now you all can see fire work is a team effort," he said.
Selected as the junior fire chief, Tyrell Audarin had the honor of dousing a sponge fire Joseph set.
The students had a snack, received red plastic firefighter hats and a fire-safety coloring book. When asked about what they learned at the station visit, most of them mentioned the stop, drop and roll rule.
"Don't play with matches," Evaris Robinson added.
Fire prevention week continues through Saturday. For the remainder of fire prevention week events, see "Fire Prevention Week Kicks Off Sunday."
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