Firefighters Visit Granville Elementary During Fire Prevention Week
Our elementary students got an invaluable lesson in fire safety and had the chance to engage with firefighters during the Granville Engine and Hose Company's recent visit for Fire Prevention Week.
Fire Prevention Week was started in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge. It is held during the week of October 9 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of October 8, 1871, which claimed many lives and caused extensive damage. It is the longest-standing public health event in the United States.
The core of the visit from Granville Engine and Hose Company was a lesson in fire safety. Students learned about smoke alarms, the importance of having escape routes and a designated meeting point at home, and when and how to call 911 in an emergency.
For many students, the highlight was seeing the fire trucks up close. Some of the students even got to sit inside! They could see firsthand the tools the firefighters rely on when they respond to fires, medical emergencies, and rescues. Firefighters also showed students their protective gear, explaining its purpose and how it helps them stay safe while fighting fires.
The visit also provided an opportunity to engage with firefighters, ask questions, understand their training, and gain insights into their sense of duty.
The firefighters' visit is always a positive experience for students. "My students were excited to try on the helmets and jackets. They had fun modeling stop, drop, and roll, and they loved pulling the rope to lift the rescue sled," said Fourth-Grade Teacher Mrs. Pilch.
Fourth Grader Jayden Ball would love to be a firefighter when he grows up: "I want to be a firefighter because you get to use tools, learn about them, and put on a suit that protects you from the fire."
Scarlett Parker, also in fourth grade, wants to be a firefighter, too: "I want to be a firefighter because I like helping people and helping them feel safe."
Anika Chaney said, "I want to be a firefighter because my stepdad is a firefighter."
"Our yearly visit from the Granville Engine and Hose Company is a valuable learning experience. Our students not only learn about fire safety, but they get to meet the men and women who stand ready to protect our community," said Principal Donohue.