On Tuesday, 10/06, our local fire department paid a visit to the elementary school. This day is a great opportunity for all age groups to have a hands-on experience with possible emergencies in their home and get an up-close and personal look at the firefighters in case they would need help one day. The volunteers start out by having an open discussion with students about possible dangers in their home, creating emergency plans with their families, and how they should react if they were to experience a fire in their home. Other topics that are discussed include car crashes, medical emergencies, and reciting the phone number 9-1-1! 

Mt. Sterling firefighters dress in full bunker gear and crawl around handing out fist-bumps and high-fives so that students are not scared in the event of an emergency. Once that is complete, they have an opportunity to walk through the smoke-house demonstration and experience what a home could look like when filled with “toxic” (strawberry-scented) smoke. Students have the chance to climb out either an upstairs or lower-level window. While groups are completing this activity, students also have a chance to climb up in the department's newest truck and ask questions about various pieces of equipment.

“This is a great opportunity for students. We want to make sure kids get a chance to see what we do, build their confidence, and hopefully learn skills to later save their lives. Nothing makes us feel more accomplished until a student raises their hand and says, “I climbed out the window in my house fire because you taught me that.” It makes us feel like these small demonstrations with them really make a difference," said Courtney, Rayborn, Firefighter.