BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Sparky the Fire Dog talks with children Oct. 11, 2012, at a Buckley Child Development Center. Fire department members taught children valuable fire prevention tips to follow in case of an emergency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Gross)
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Children from a Buckley Child Development Center check out a Buckley Fire Department fire truck Oct. 11, 2012, at the CDC. Children learned when to dial 911, to have at least two ways to exit a room in case of a fire and several other tips in effort to promote Fire Prevention Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Gross)
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Brandon Elson, Buckley Fire Department, lifts a child into a fire truck Oct. 11, 2012, at a Buckley Child Development Center during Fire Prevention Week. Children received plastic fire helmets, coloring books, stickers and pamphlets to make learning about fire prevention fun. Firemen and Sparky the Fire Dog were answered children’s questions and to show the ins and outs of a fire truck. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Gross)
by Senior Airman Christopher Gross
460th Space Wing Public Affairs
10/12/2012 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Buckley Fire Department members taught children at a Buckley Child Development Center valuable fire prevention tips Oct. 11 in a proactive approach to Fire Prevention Week observed Oct. 7-13.
Children recieved plastic fire helmets, coloring books, stickers and pamphlets to make learning about fire prevention fun. Firemen and Sparky the Fire Dog answered the children's questions and showed the children the ins and outs of a fire truck.
"Here, we talk to the kids on how to get out of the house. The theme this year is having two ways out of every room," said Charles Harrelson, Buckley Fire Department fire inspector.
Harrelson said sharing good fire prevention practices with children at an early age is important as the information sticks with the children as they get older. Firefighters taught practices such as when to dial 911 and what do during an emergency.
"It's kind of something that sticks with them forever. It's something important that hopefully most people won't need," said Harrelson.
Four-year-old Joshua said he enjoyed the fire truck and the advice from fire department.
When asked by a teacher what to do if there's a fire, Joshua said, "We run out outside," and yell "fire, fire."
Harrelson said his team doesn't only focus their fire prevention tips toward children. They also focus on adults.
Aside from visiting both CDCs, the fire department also made several stops to other units, The Exchange and the commissary. The fire department took the fire prevention trailer to some locations. The trailer has a mock kitchen in which controlled fires are started and fire extinguishers are used to put out the fire. This shows people how to properly use an extinguisher, as it's not something for which people get hands-on training.
The Buckley Fire Department will wrap up Fire Prevention Week with a Fire Department Open House and Pancake Breakfast from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at the main fire station, Bldg. 806. There will be hands-on fire extinguisher training and educational fire prevention information. The free breakfast is sponsored by the Buckley Firefighters Association, but donations are accepted.
