Pictured is Chase Utt assisting Bowen Swick with the fire hose while classmate Hazel Nelson waits her turn. (Submitted photo)

SALINEVILLE – Southern Local Elementary School students got a glimpse of the life of firefighters during Fire Prevention Week activities.

The school hosted departments from Highlandtown, Salineville and Franklin Township on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 and officials displayed turnout gear, equipment and vehicles while explaining the importance of fire safety. Highlandtown Volunteer Fire Department was on hand that Tuesday with grades 1-3 while the latter departments spoke to preschool and kindergarten students on Wednesday.

Fire Chief Jeremiah Cole was joined by Assistant Chief B.J. Davis, firefighters Cody Rose, Andrew Russell and Michelle Cole and junior firefighter and Southern Local High School student Chase Utt for the presentation at Wigwam Stadium. Cole discussed how best to respond should a house fire occur and queried a group of third-graders on their knowledge.

“We’re here for Fire Prevention Week, and there are things you need to do if you see, or smell a fire or if a smoke detector goes off,” he said. “If you’re sleeping in bed and [a smoke detector] goes off, you leave. You have a meeting place, and the meeting place is very important. That lets us know you’re safe and we can focus on putting the fire out.”

He said fire escape plans were important to know and practice, as well as “Stop, Drop and Roll,” which also includes covering one’s face to avoid burns if their clothing is aflame. When questioned, students noted they were never to touch matches or lighters and were aware of the dangers of overheating electrical outlets with too many plugs. Cole also informed the kids to never hide but to safely check doors for heat should an incident happen.

Students also viewed turnout gear worn by firefighter Andrew Russell as the chief described their function. Cole said a helmet, flame-retardant coat and pants, steel-toed boots, air pack, airmask and Nomex facemask weighs roughly 50-60 pounds and the cost of the equipment may be at least $10,000 per firefighter, but about 22 members were in the department. He and Russell fielded questions from the kids about how they became firefighters.

“I became one when I was a freshman in high school,” said Russell.

Cole added that HVFD had a junior firefighter program and youth may join at age 14 to determine if they want to become a full-fledged firefighter later. Currently, there were two junior firefighters on staff, including Utt.

“With the cadet program, we teach the kids so hopefully one day they could be as good as we are or better,” Russell interjected.

During further talks, the students understood that they should never go back inside a burning building to retrieve items and that the fire department handled about 300 calls over the past year. The classes were invited to view vehicle displays and learn about the equipment on board, plus they had a chance to spray a fire hose and received red fire hats and gifts. Cole said the department will also hold its annual escape plan contest, where students in grades 1-3 will design home fire escape plans for judging by the firefighters and one winner in each class will receive a special trip to school in a fire truck. The contest has been held since 1999 and previously included toy fire truck prizes, but the rides have been conducted for the past two years.