By Sarah Moskowitz
Last Friday afternoon's activities were the grand finale of Fire Prevention Week, which educates on and emphasizes the importance of fire safety.
"Each year we try to improve the program a little bit and make it a learning experience," said Ex-Captain Neil Schloth, this year's chairman of Fire Prevention Day.
The event has been hosted by the fire department for more than 30 years. Over the years the event has morphed from firefighters merely demonstrating their capabilities to focusing on teaching people about fire safety. The late Ed Weis, a former East Rockaway Fire Department captain, is credited with the change in the program and his family was presented with a plaque in his honor last Friday.
"Our main point is to educate people in general about fire education and leaving the house safely if there is a fire," said Chief Daniel Pignataro.
Children were offered a ride on a life-size fire truck, but only as a reward after completing three stations where they learned the proper ways to react to a fire. Station one featured a multi-colored gym mat and taught children to stop, drop and roll should they or their clothes catch on fire.
The long line at station two was to enter a model smokehouse, which taught children how to escape from what could be their own smoke-filled home. At station three children sat and watched the video, "Exit Drill in the House," which taught families how to formulate an escape plan and meeting place in case of fire and stressing not to extinguish a fire yourself. Children were also given plastic firefighter hats and fire safety kits containing coloring books, educational literature and stickers with emergency numbers.
"It's something they can relate to and it teaches them at the same time so they can get education while they're having fun," said Third Assistant Chief Dan Gilloon.
Firefighters performed various demonstrations, including how to extinguish a stovetop oven or a dryer if it were to catch fire in the home, how to climb safely down a ladder from elevated levels and how a victim would be extricated from a burning vehicle.
Kid Care photos were taken by Jennifer Mercurio of East Rockaway's Lasting Impressions at no charge. It is important to update the pictures annually for identification purposes in cases of abduction.
Metro Transit Authority police officers were present for education about railroad gate safety and vehicle accidents with trains. Rescue squad representatives also provided information on stroke prevention and health tips.
The day was also open to recruit firefighters, emergency medical technicians and junior firefighters, which gives residents 12 to 17-years-old education and practice in fighting fires and first aid.
The Fire Prevention Day was a hit with local residents. Five-year-old Luke Aprile and sister Kaitlyn, 2, of East Rockaway said they left the firehouse with a better knowledge of how to safely react to a fire.
"I learned to get everybody out of the house and to jump out of the window if there's a fire in your house," said Luke. "I learned how to stop, drop and roll."
Michele Aprile said educating her children about fire safety was important.
"At least if your kids are aware and know what to do...basic knowledge can actually save a life," said Michele.
