Marking the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, a group of preschoolers and daycare kids from the Eagle Grove preschool classes and the Sisson Family Daycare headed to the firehouse, where firefighter Tony Wubben taught some beginner's basics on what to do in case of fire, and how to prevent one. Starting with understanding that in a fire, firefighters are there to help.
"These kiddos have been working hard to learn about fire prevention," read the post on the EGFD Facebook page, "so today they went on a fire truck ride and they toured the fire station." Photo via Facebook.
"Let's face it," Wubben told the Eagle, "under the turnout gear and SCBA it's pretty scary to see someone breaking into your home in efforts of saving your life. For kiddos this could not only startle them, but cause them to hide in fear. " But when kids are shown what that gear is and who is under it, and what it means when you see them, kids learn not to run and hide, but to let firefighters take them outside. "Events like these break down the opportunity of fear and kids feel more comfortable around the men and women underneath the gear to know they are safe," said Wubben. "When children get exposures like this, we strengthen the relationship so they know that we too are trusting adults, especially in life-threatening times of need."
And then, after showing the kids what a firefighter looks like, the kids were shown what it feels like to be one, with a ride on a fire truck!
Wubben pointed out that while Fire Prevention week is a good reminder to educate ourselves and our families in preventing and surviving fires, it's not the only time the Fire Department can provide it. "Always feel free to reach out to one of us on the Department and we will happily work as a Department for arranging education," Wubben urged educators, businesses, and parents.
Each family, business, and organization should have a fire preparedness plan. And, Wubben pointed out, that requires "routinely checking smoke detectors, escape plan, stop/drop/roll, fire extinguishers, among various other fire safety techniques and tools." And it requires practice. After all, Wubben noted, "When a fire breaks out, the last thing we want is for a fire prevention plan to be practiced and used for the first time."
