Chelsea's North Creek Elementary School students learn fire safety from firefighters

Firefighter Rob Stelzer III hugs a child.

Principal Marcus Kaemming told students Tuesday morning that a lot of the firefighters in the Chelsea Area Fire Authority had gone to North Creek Elementary and as part of Fire Prevention Week they were back to teach them fire safety precautions.

In fact, all the students were sent home with homework — find a safe place outside your home where the whole family can meet if there’s ever a fire in your house. Then practice fire drills at home so everyone knows where to go.

Firefighters Ian Ballard (in turnout gear) and Eric Stanley work together to put the air pack on Ballard.

Fire Captain Augustine Syrovy told the assembly of kindergarten, first and second-graders that the firefighters go out on about 4-5 emergency calls a day. Sometimes they are for fires, others times for accidents and medical emergencies.

All the students raised their hands when asked if they knew what number to call in case of emergency, and many of them were familiar with “Stop, Drop and Roll” should their clothes ever catch on fire.

But for those who might not have been, firefighters Robert Stelzer III and Ian Ballard demonstrated this important safety tip.

Firefighters demonstrate covering their face and roll showing students what to do if their clothes ever catch fire.

Syrovy told students not to be afraid of firefighters — even when they were dressed in their firefighting gear and sounded funny because they had an air mask on

“We’re here to help you, your family and your pets,” he said.

He told the youngsters that if they smelled smoke or saw fire and couldn’t safely get out of the room, to shut the door, put their pillows and blankets against the bottom, open a window and yell for help — as loud as they could.

Syrovy said the fire house didn’t have a dog nor did it have a fire pole for firefighters to slide down.

But, everyone was invited to the Fire Station Open House on Oct. 20 from noon-4 p.m. where they could spray water from a hose, see the fire station and ask questions of the firefighters while enjoying free food and drinks.

The firefighters were asked if they ate special “firefighter” food and Syrovy said since they did spend the night at the fire station when they were on shift, they cooked there, and sometimes got take-out. But they ate regular food — just like the students.

Please enjoy the 18 photos from one of the assemblies found below.