Kids learn about fire prevention
Last Updated on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 04:20 pm Written by Alex Davis Wednesday, October 17, 2012 01:00 am
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Ryan Roscoe, 7, stopped, dropped to the ground and rolled with his hands covering his face – acting as though his clothes had caught fire.
He put on the demonstration for dozens of his peers as part of the National Fire Prevention Week.
"Good, Ryan," said Kathy Elwell, who is a fire inspector for Middle Township Bureau of Fire Protection.
Roscoe’s classmates clapped.
Elwell taught fire prevention and safety to second-graders from Middle Township Elementary School No. 1 Thursday afternoon, Oct. 11, at the Cape May Court House Volunteer Fire Co. firehouse.
Roscoe of Cape May Court House said he enjoyed doing students the stop, drop and roll method.
"It was fun, but the floor kind of made some scratches [on me]," he said.
But he’s used to showing off the maneuver. Roscoe said he also practiced stop, drop and roll in front of other students when firefighters visited Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School in Dennis Township.
"It's satisfying that they even remember," Elwell said.
She said the students will perform well when emergencies arise.
At the beginning of her class, Elwell asked the students if they remembered learning fire safety in school. They said yes.
She told them it's important to review fire safety once a year. Fire drills at school and at home are vital, too, she said.
The children should know at least two ways out of a building in case fire is blocking an exit, said Elwell, who is also a volunteer firefighter for the West Cape May Volunteer Fire Co. That alternative route could be through a window, side door or back door, she said.
Once they've left home, she told the children to go to their planned meeting spot, like a mailbox.
She also stressed the importance of making sure new batteries are in smoke detectors.
Elwell held up a smoke detector and went to test it. It didn't work.
She put a fresh pair of batteries in and the device began beeping.
Sometimes people are used to the detector going off, such as from cooking, Elwell said.
"You never ignore the fire detector," she said.
As she spoke to the students, she put on firefighter gear – boots, pants and jacket.
Elwell hoisted an oxygen tank on her back, telling them that a mask is worn "because the smoke makes you sick” when firefighters go into burning buildings.
Firefighters use various tools as well, she said, including an ax that could be used for busting through a door.
She also showed the kids a thermal camera that detects heat and can be used to find people inside a structure that’s on fire.
Students looked through the device at four students standing in front of them.
"They're white," one kid said as he looked into the device.
Second-graders with the help of firefighters also shot water from hoses. The game involved aiming at windows to put out a fake fire.
Jordan Burton, 7, of Green Creek said he enjoyed the fire prevention training, visiting the firehouse and seeing Sparky the Fire House Dog.
"They love it," said Cape May Court House Volunteer Co. firefighter Joe Russo who dressed as Sparky. "It's all for the kids."
K.P. Arenberg, a commissioner for Middle Township District No. 1, called the time children spend learning about fire prevention “a great experience.”
The children received backpacks with a red Frisbee and a red fire helmet and other items.
"It's a really good program," said second-grade teacher Linda Kelley. It also makes children alert about emergencies, she said.
Arenberg estimated that about 1,000 local children came to the firehouse in Cape May Court House last week.
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