Dobbins pupils learn fire-safety lessons

By Denise Dick

The presentation was part of Fire Prevention Week, which concludes today.

POLAND — Seven-year-old Anna Spagnola and her mother regularly test their family’s smoke detector.

That practice served Anna well when she portrayed a smoke alarm this week at a fire safety demonstration at Dobbins Elementary School. The demonstration was by members of the Western Reserve Joint Fire District as part of Fire Prevention Week, which wraps up today.

A round, green disk was positioned around her head and a big, foam red nose served as the test button. Firefighter Tracy Thompson tweaked the foam nose and Anna sounded, “Beep, beep.”

“I have two smoke detectors at home,” Anna said. “One is right by my room. My mom and I test them.”

The demonstration, led by Bill O’Hara, the fire district’s fire-prevention officer, taught children how to belly-crawl across the floor during a fire to stay under smoke, when to dial 911, the importance of smoke detectors and the equipment firefighters wear.

“When there’s a fire, you must call 911,” Anna said, sharing the knowledge she gleaned from the presentation. “If there’s a cat stuck in a tree, don’t call 911.”

The cat will come down on its own when it’s ready, Thompson explained to the second-graders.

O’Hara said it’s important to test smoke detectors regularly to ensure they’re working and to change their batteries once per year.

“Give it a birthday,” the fire prevention officer said. “On that birthday, change the battery. A lot of people do it when they change the clocks. I change mine on Christmas morning.”

Brennen Testa, 7, donned miniature firefighter clothes including boots, hood, mask, hat, gloves, pants, suspenders and jacket to learn about the gear.

“You need heavy clothes to be a fireman,” Brennen said.

He, along with firefighter Gio Melia, walked among the pupils, providing them the chance to see the clothing up close.

“You sound like Darth Vader,” the children told Melia, referring to his oxygen mask.

Cheryl Borovitcky, Dobbins principal, said the program is an annual presentation.

“Having our local firefighters interact with our children is very motivating and meaningful,” she said. “Our students really enjoy the program.”