Students at Park Avenue Elementary School in North Bellmore learned how to respond to fire emergencies during a visit from local firefighters Oct. 6 in recognition of Fire Prevention Month.
Members of the North Merrick Fire Department visited the school to teach kindergarten, first- and second-grade students about fire prevention, smoke alarms and home escape plans. Firefighters also demonstrated their equipment and discussed the importance of staying calm during an emergency.
Students put their newfound knowledge to the test inside the department’s smokehouse, a mobile training unit designed to simulate a home during a fire.
As artificial smoke filled the structure and an alarm sounded, students practiced crawling to a window, climbing through it and escaping with assistance from firefighters. The exercise reinforced the importance of knowing multiple exits and responding quickly and safely when a smoke alarm sounds.
Following the demonstration, each student received a plastic firefighter helmet and a coloring book to take home.
The visit gave students an opportunity to practice potentially lifesaving skills while learning firsthand from local volunteer firefighters.
