In honor of National Fire Safety Week (celebrated Oct. 3 – 9), the Eagle Grove Elementary preschoolers and TK students got to go on a field trip to the Eagle Grove Fire Department on Thursday, Oct. 7. Not only were they excited to meet the volunteers who do this dangerous job, but they were also ready to get the chance to climb through their fire trucks and hear all about what it takes to do their job and help people in need.
Before they could head to the fire station, however, they first had to learn a few things from their teachers in the classroom. Students learned about calling 9-1-1 only in emergency situations, Stop-Drop-and Roll, and talked about making a plan with their families of what to do in case of an emergency. It was obvious that they were paying attention because when they got to the Eagle Grove fire station for their tour, they were able to answer some of the firemen’s questions about these topics.
The teachers were appreciative that these firemen were willing to host two separate groups of young students, one from the morning classes and the other from the afternoon. Each of the groups of kids loved when the time came for them to crawl through the fire truck and take advantage of the opportunity to sit in a fireman’s seat. They also had some big smiles when they saw Garrett Quintus all dressed up from head to toe in his firman gear, complete with an air mask on. It was explained to them that this is what a fireman looks like when they go into a building that they have been called to for a fire and that they should never hide from them.
As part of their tour, the kids also got to see where the firemen hold their meetings, get a close-up look at the fire trucks used for rural fires that hold 2,000 gallons of water and a “pool” that it can be emptied into so they can return back to town and refill the tank, as well as seeing the department’s newest vehicle, the ladder truck. The kids seemed very impressed.
The part of the tour that perhaps got the most reaction, however, was when the firemen showed the kids the Jaws of Life tools they sometimes have to use to help get victims out of a car crash. The kids were amazed when they saw the large tools open up slowly with the capability of ripping off metal car doors and more.
To end the tour, each student received a plastic fire hat that they all quickly put on and showed off to their fellow classmates and teachers. A sticker badge and a coloring book were also given to them once they returned to their classrooms.
National Fire Week has been celebrated the second week of October each year since 1922. It is held in memory of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The fire is said to have destroyed more than 17,000 buildings, more than 2,000 acres, and left in excess of 100,000 people homeless.
