Chatham Elementary participates in National Fire Prevention Week

After crawling through a trailer full of fake smoke, a group of second-graders at Chatham Elementary School rolled on an exercise mat, showing their teachers what they had learned.

As part of National Fire Prevention Week, various fire departments descend upon area schools, educating students on how to prevent fires in their home and what to do in case of fire.

Chris Key, the Brosville fire chief and a Danville firefighter, showed the class all the equipment firefighters carry and wear. With a teacher’s help, Key went through every piece slowly, making sure the children knew they were not to be afraid of firefighters. Key also spoke through the smoke mask so the class would know what a firefighter would sound like during an emergency situation.

Key told the children, “You’re my priority, rescuing you and making sure you’re safe.”

The next part of the presentation was taking the class through the smoke trailer. The smoke trailer is a demonstration where Key takes students through a simulated escape route.

After making sure the children know how to check their escape routes, Key and an assistant make sure the children keep low to avoid inhaling as much smoke as possible. Key said he hopes the students learn skills throughout the presentation.

“They’re learning what number to dial, in case of an emergency, 9-1-1. They’re learning firefighter safety, they’re learning fire safety,” he said. “They’re learning not to play with matches. Matches are tools. They’re also learning that firefighters are their friends.

“They’re here to help you. So, we don’t want them to be afraid if they do have a fire.”

Penny O’Dell, a behavior specialist for one of the second-graders, said it is very important that the fire departments promote Fire Awareness Week.

“A lot of the kids don’t get to learn a lot about fire safety at home,” she said.

O’Dell said the children might need to call emergency services for their parents or need to handle an emergency when their parents are not in the home.

Key said this fire prevention program was started more than 12 years ago when he began teaching one class to about 15 students. Lowe’s Home Improvement joined the effort a few years ago, he added.

Matt Hunt, the assistant store manager for the Danville Lowe’s store and a volunteer fire chief, said the Lowe’s Heroes volunteer program supports the fire departments in their goal of keeping children safe. The second-graders could get a free smoke detector courtesy of Lowe’s after bringing their teachers an EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home) plan.

“Our main purpose is to teach children fire safety and fire awareness,” Hunt said.

Through the children, Hunt said the parents can be made aware of fire hazards and develop escape routes from the home. With the help of Lowe’s and volunteers, Key said the program has expanded, reaching six area schools.

“It’s grown, we started out with 10 to 15 kids and now we’re doing over 700 kids,” he said.