Posted: 10/11/06
Please read this three times
 Children listened intently to the presentation at the Stacy-Lent Fire Department open house last Saturday. They learned about the impact of airbags in the car and watched a demonstration on extracation. |
By MaryHelen Swanson
North Branch fireman and fire department educator Don Simons said people need to hear something three times before it sinks in. So, when he stands before school district children each year in October, during Fire Prevention Week, he repeats his messages at least three times during the 20-minute session: Call 9-1-1, Stop, Drop and Roll, Stay Low and Go, Once Out Stay Out.
Fire safety education is for everyone in the community, Simons said, but the children seem to be so receptive to it and, as proven most recently with the Susan Anderson story (at left) the children retain the messages they hear year after year.
Six years ago, fire safety was taught to only first and second graders, Simons said. Today the educators go before youngsters in area day care centers, early childhood education, parochial schools and classes up to 5th grade. Simons would like to even continue that further.
Most adults know this important information, he went on, what parents need to do is get involved, take the time for their childrenís sake to go over it at home, make plans for things such as the meeting place out front and away from the house, talk about and practice escape routes (two from each room), and go over reading material they will bring home from school.
At school this week, the children will be introduced to the sight of the basic bunker gear, the sound of the breathing apparatus and those important messages about how to save their own lives.
Theyíll learn they should sleep with their bedroom door closed and what to do if awakened by the sound of the smoke detector, like placing the back of their hand against the door to see how hot it is. Theyíll learn to throw toys or a blanket out their window so the designated firefighter can find it on his or her trip around the exterior of the house.
Theyíll learn that home fire drills are as important as those in school, perhaps even more, as children will spend 13 or more hours at home each day.
Theyíll learn that once they are out of the house, they must stay out.
Theyíll learn to stop, drop and roll if their clothing is on fire.
And, as Susan did when she remembered her safety training, theyíll learn to stay low because there are dangerous gases and fumes above them.
Simons noted that temperatures at the waist can be 200 degrees, by your head they can be 800 degrees to 1500 degrees, depending on what materials is burning.
In the school presentation, Simons makes the kids promise they will not play with matches or anything that will start a fire.
Simons knows that children love to hide, and they will hide when frightened, also. He tells them to yell, ìIím here, Iím hereî if a firefighter comes into their room to rescue them. Thatís why he introduces the kids to the sight and sounds of the firefighters in gear, so they will not be afraid and hide.
This year, something new will be added to the fire safety presentation. Each child will receive a red wristband with Susanís name on it and the messages, ìstop, drop and rollî and ìonce out stay out.î
All of the North Branch firefighters will be wearing the wristbands to the end of October to support Susan and what sheís been going through and what she learned and put to use.
At home, parents can use the wristbands as a starting point to go through the family plan for fire evacuation and safety measures.
Simons tells the kids about smoke detectors, something everyone in the community should know, even senior citizens: buy them, replace the batteries twice a year, and have an adult vacuum dust from them.
Smoke detectors are our friends, he tells the kids.
This year, Xcel Energy is providing the children with scratch and sniff materials so they can get the idea what the additive smells like in natural gas and propane. In their natural state, these gases do not smell, with the additive, they stink. And thatís a good stink, as it warns people of gas leaks.
Everything we teach, Simons said, is for the safety of the people in the community. Simons said heíd love to be giving the same safety presentations to others in the community. This week, some 2200 children will hear it in the North Branch schools, and hundreds more in the Rush City schools.
Essentially, Simons wants to stress the value of being involved with the children to help them understand the importance of fire prevention. ìItís always been children first,î he said.
If people have any questions or concerns, Simons suggests they call their local fire safety officers. The best way to do this is to call the fire departments or city hall and leave a message:
North Branch- (651) 674-8113 (City Hall)
Rush City- (320) 358-4743 (City Hall)
Almelund - (651) 583-3473
Stacy-Lent- (651) 462-3389
Harris- (651) 674-1712
Comment from Don Simons, 11/9/06
MaryHelen,
Just thought I would let you know or safety progrm hit a record. This year we saw 2318 children. I also want to thank you for the write up it was outstanding and the credit all goes to your attention to detail. Thanks so much for what you do for us.
Don Simons
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