Learning fire prevention and having fun with local volunteers

Sandycreek Elementary school was visited by the neighborhood  firefighters Friday, the final day of National Fire Prevention Week. Five representatives from the Sandycreek Volunteer Fire Department, including two EMTs, presented a short classroom program about prevention and safety. Students also went outside to see fire trucks and gear, and  learned more about what it means to be a firefighter.

Besides safety education, local fire departments are hoping to recruit young people interested in serving their community as volunteers with local departments. Numbers are down overall and the average age of those who are active is getting older. Educational opportunities show the importance of local fire departments and spread awareness to this growing need.

National Fire Prevention Week was started in October 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed over 250 people and render over 100,000 homeless. The goal of the week is to create fire awareness, to prevent tragedies and teach the public how to protect themselves and their neighborhoods.

The students were also given a chance to have some fun shooting water out of the truck's hose.