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Preschoolers learn about fire safety
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Firefighter Robert Sanchez (back) helped Union Preschooler Madeline (front) try on a tiny firefighter's outfit to show her classmates what it looked like.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Firefighter Robert Sanchez (left) acted as a smoke detector during Bill O'Hara's discussion, letting out a loud "beep" to show his "battery" was working. O'Hara told the preschoolers to have their parents check their smoke dector every month.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .The students of Union Preschool modeled the fire hats that fire prevention officer Bill O'Hara provided them after his fire safety discussion.
By SARAH FOOR
The students at Union preschool received a very special visit from the Poland Fire Department on Sept. 29. Fire prevention officer William O’Hara visited the school with a group of his fellow firefighters to teach the students about fire safety and to familiarize the students with friendly firefighters.
“I never want you to be afraid when you see a firemen. I guarantee, every time you see them, they are there to help you,” explained O’Hara.
To teach the preschoolers about fire safety, O’Hara told the students about smoke detectors, when to stop, drop and roll, and the dangers of playing with matches.
The firemen showed an instructional video that explained many different kinds of rescue vehicles, pointing out that the Poland crew uses a ladder truck and pump truck, which helps the firefighters reach tall buildings and douse gallons of water on burning flames.
Showing the urgency of the profession, most of the firemen had to leave for a rescue that was called in during the Sept. 29 presentation.
Nonetheless, O’Hara handled the rest of the event, and dressed up preschooler Madeline in a fire outfit so the students would know what a fire rescue worker looks like.
“I think it is important to teach the kids young so that they know what to expect in a fire. The fact is, you can rebuild homes and buy new things, but you can’t replace people. I’m sharing the kind of knowledge that I hope will save their lives if they ever face a fire,” O’Hara shared after his presentation.