Students get a lesson in fire prevention

Last Updated on Friday, October 19, 2012 09:34 am Written by SHAUN SMITH Monday, October 15, 2012 10:02 am

Ventnor City Firefighters join Scottie Van Duyne’s kindergarten class for a photo. Firefighters are, from left, Lt. Jack Hyde, Deputy Chief Tom O’Brien, firefighter Jerry Roche and firefighter Jeff Moore.

VENTNOR – Lights, sirens and a water cannon all helped convey a very important message Thursday, Oct. 11.

“The message this year is ‘two ways out.’ How would you get out in case of a fire,” said Ventnor City Fire Chief John Hazlett to a group of preschool and kindergarten children at the Ventnor Educational Community Complex.

He and Capt. James Culbertson of the Ventnor City Fire Department were stressing the importance of knowing how to exit a building on fire during a fire prevention week demonstration at the school. They also reminded children to tell their parents to have a meeting place outside, whether it be a tree or a neighbor’s house, so firefighters can account for everyone and then battle the blaze.

The firefighters will change batteries in a smoke detector and will also provide other fire prevention services for residents by calling the fire department (609) 823-7942.

They also remind residents that when clocks “fall back” and “spring forward” it is time to check and change smoke detector batteries.

“They are our single best line of defense,” Hazlett said of smoke detectors.

He said a few years ago the department responded to a call from a child who had seen the fire prevention demonstration earlier that day. The child, whose parents did not speak English, remembered to dial 9-1-1 and reported the stovetop fire in his home.

To spread the message of fire prevention week throughout the community, the fire department has visited local AARP and the Shalom House. If civic organizations would like to schedule a presentation by the department, call the number above.

See www.njfiresafety.com for fire safety videos and additional resources.