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Preschoolers learn about fire safety during hands-on event

Friendly firefighter Bill Regnier in full gear.

Friendly Firefighter Bill Regnier not only showed a group of preschool children how to stop, drop and roll, but also what he looked dressed in full turn-out gear complete with mask and air pack.

The hands-on presentation by four Chelsea Area Fire Authority firefighters was one of the many different experiences offered to the about 50 children who attend the Chelsea Community Preschool.

In addition, the 3-5 year olds were told to remind their parents to have an emergency plan in case of a fire in their home.

Fire Capt. Derek Klink helps child try on fire gear.

“Do you have a meeting place if your house catches on fire?” Fire Capt. Derek Klink asked the children, to which one child answered “The neighbor’s house” and other said, “The mailbox.”

The children were already aware that they should dial 9-11 if there was an emergency in their home.

Klink told the children that if they felt too much heat or saw a lot of smoke, they should close the door and put blankets under it, and get down low to the ground where it would be easiest to breathe.

“But don’t hide,” he said, telling the youngsters that firefighters would call to them and they should yell as loud as they could “Help, I’m in here” so emergency personnel can get them to safety.

He told them if their bedroom was on the second floor, and they couldn’t get out, they should toss stuffed animals out the window so firefighters would know where they were.

Klink said he’d rescued a few cats from fires and he’d even save the children’s fish, if need be.

Although one child was scared of the four large men, most of them weren’t afraid to try on a fire coat or lift a pair of special fire boots.

Fire gear

He reminded the children not to play with matches or lighters and if they found either one, not to touch it, rather alert an adult.

The children were given an opportunity to hear what Friendly Firefighter Bill sounded like talking through his fire mask while hearing the beeps of the air pack.

Then, the children were given a chance to try on fire gear and climb into the front seat of a fire engine as part of the educational presentation.

Teacher Sally Wingle said the preschool program runs during the school year and there are two sessions, one from 8:30-11 a.m. and another from noon-3 p.m.

This educational experience, she said, was one of many that the children have during the year.

Driving a fire truck.

The children are taught specific skills so they’ll be ready for Kindergarten; things like how to serve their own snacks and how to ask for help. They learn upper case letters, numbers and colors, or how to make plans and follow through with them. Or, what to do if their plans don’t work out.

There’s story time and outside activities, drawing in a journal and activities done in large and small groups.

“They are taught how to be independent,” she said, and the focus is on “active learning.”

All the children are given “direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events and ideas,” Wingle said.

And the firefighters’ visit is one of many things the youngsters will be exposed to before the session ends in May.

Fire Capt. Derek Klink explains fire safety to preschoolers and parents.

 

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