Baldwin Firefighters Teach Lifesaving Lesson

November 1, 2015

fire-030 — Baldwin firefighters prepared the students to go through a fire house simulator.

Children need to know what to do in the event of a fire. Habersham Head Start in Baldwin offered a day of learning and understanding to teach fire safety to the little ones.

October 19th was a day of education for the kids at Habersham Head Start. The Baldwin Fire Department educated the children about smoke detectors, fire trucks, firefighters, and how to be safe when the unexpected happens. 135 students from 7 classrooms visited a smoke house as trained firefighters explained what to do in the even to a fire.

From identifying the sound of the smoke alarm to exiting the house in a safe manner, firefighters gave the children an opportunity to experience what a fire “could” be like.

Head Start students in Baldwin learn what to do in the event of a fire.

In this exercise, the room is filled with fog, simulating a smoke filled area. The children are instructed to get down on their hands and knees and crawl in order to exit the house. They are taught how to touch the door to see if it is warm and if so, how to exit through a window. Firefighters were there to help them descend on a ladder.

The objective is to remove the confusion and fear that is often accompanied with children because they do not understand how to get out safely and what the firefighter is trying to do to help them. It is also a way to familiarize the kids in a non-threatening, fear-free environment so there is an element of comfort when tragedy strikes.

Chief Joy Roy was there to greet the kids and hand out fire safety packets with kid activity books in them.

While each classroom waited for a turn, crafts and activities were offered: making their own fire hose, tracing a maze to get out of the house, and learning to stop, drop, and roll. Afterwards, the children gathered on the playground to wish the firefighters goodbye and of course, get a chance to listen to the sirens. It was a day the Baldwin Fire Department hopes will stick in the memory banks of the kids for many years.