On October 8th, Ridge VFD continued Fire Prevention Week festivities by visiting Ridge Elementary School in Ridge. Before we started teaching the students about the sounds of fire safety, we performed an unannounced fire drill. Once the school fire alarm was sounded, students and teachers calmly and efficiently filed out of the building and into the open grounds behind the school. As the teachers were gathering students, Engine 43 responded lights and sirens to the scene. Firefighters made entry into the building to do a quick search, all while the students watched. To test the teachers, we held one random student back with us in our staging area. It didn’t take long for the teacher to realize there was a student “missing.” Everyone did great!

Once the students were back in class, we started our day. Several groups of students, from Pre-K to 5th Grade, took turns visiting the Fire Prevention Mobile Classroom (a.k.a., smoke trailer) and a walk-around of Engine 43 and some fire turn-out gear. Ridge VFD Fire Prevention educators shared fire prevention and safety tips specific to the various sounds heard during fire emergency (sirens, SCBA air pack alarms, smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, etc.). Each student was taught about the differences between smoke alarms and CO alarms and different sounds they make. Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep you and your family safe. When an alarm makes noises – three beeps for smoke alarms and four beeps for CO alarms – you must take action.

The students were also taught the importance of staying low to the ground when there is smoke in the home, sleeping with their bedroom doors closed (Close Before You Dose), how to check a room door for heat/high temperatures, and how to escape from a bedroom window equipped with a safety ladder. They really enjoyed getting to crawl on the ground and climb out the window! After the mobile classroom lesson, the students were given an up-close tour of Engine 43. Firefighters/educators displayed equipment and gear from the various compartments. Following the sessions, each student was given a goodie bag full of safety information, coloring/activity books, and stickers.

Ridge VFD wants to thank the staff and students from Ridge Elementary School for allowing us to come by and share some fire safety information!