Did you know that October is Fire Safety Month? It's a good month to think about fire safety, since the weather is typically dry and people are wanting to burn leaves. But did you know that Fire Safety Month also has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred in October of 1871? This fire burned 2000 acres in the heart of Chicago, killing between 200-300 people and destroying over $200 million in property. Even today, according to the United States Fire Administration, fire kills more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined.
As part of Fire Safety Month educational activities, our Indian Springs Kindergarteners and First Graders were visited by the Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department on Friday, October 10th. The children got to see a fire truck up close, see what's inside all its compartments, hear its
very loud siren, and talk to and ask questions of the fire fighters (one of whom is one of Mrs. Conrad's former first graders!).
The children watched as one of the firemen donned his entire firefighting suit, including air tank, mask, and hat. The kids got to hear the "Darth Vader" sound that a firefighter makes when he breathes. They got to touch his gloves and learn that he's just a regular guy under the fire suit. This is an important experience for these young children to have, as it will help them not to be afraid of firefighters in an actual emergency.
Thank you Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department for helping educate our children about fire safety!
