Standard Fire Department goes all out for awareness

Times Contributor

 

Alberta’s Fire Prevention and Awareness week took place all over the province from Oct. 9 through to the 15. Many fire departments took part in making their respective communities more aware of safety procedures and services from their departments.

The Standard Fire Department went all out in their community by involving the elementary school students in a hands-on view and tour of their fire truck. They arrived at the school early in the week and showed the students all the different parts of their equipment and answered questions. Volunteers Kevin Bardi, Keenan Hauck, and Malcolm McKinnon donned their suits and helmets in the warm fall sun to show the kids. The Kindergarten class along with students in Grades One and Two also had the opportunity to spray the hose and feel how much strength it took to hold the equipment. 

Bardi told the kids how important it was that they know their addresses, especially those who were from the country, that they should post their legal land description by their telephones for easy access. The students were told how to leave their homes safely, and if they couldn’t, to make sure that the fire fighters knew where they were in their homes by shouting “Here I am, please help me!” 

Many of the kids knew the basics, but addresses and when to change batteries for smoke detectors were iffy. They were told that smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month and batteries changed every year.

All of the elementary students are also participating in a province-wide contest with regards to fire safety and prevention. Some of the requirements of the contest include the making of Home Fire Escape Plans and practicing fire drills in their homes. The students were excited with all the information and many had already taken part in doing these exercises with their parents and siblings. 

The volunteer firemen also told the students that it was important to know how to properly and safely leave the school in case of a fire or an emergency. 

On Friday the fire alarm was pulled at the school and the fire fighters arrived with sirens blaring and lights flashing. All the students had evacuated the school building and were being accounted for by their respective teachers. The fire team did an authentic “mock” drill with a scenario of a fire within the school. They donned their breathing masks, suits and helmets and went through their protocol before declaring that the building was safe to be entered again. 

Both the school administration and staff along with the fire department are already making plans for a “table talk” about how they can improve evacuation and awareness to students and staff. They will try another surprise “mock” drill in the spring of next year.

As part of Fire Prevention week, the Standard Fire Department gave a free smoke alarm to each family with students in Kindergarten through to Grade 2.