The Uniondale Fire Department visited at least five schools in Uniondale, including Walnut Elementary Schoo to teach kindergarten through second-grade students about live saving lessons for Fire Prevention Week.
Throughout the morning, classes rotated through lively safety presentations, watched a fire safety video, and heard directly from local firefighters about how to protect themselves and their families in emergencies.
“I built this skit to help them follow through, they remember certain things, like calling on them and they remember repeating things over and over to them, like repetitive learning,” said Fire Prevention Officer Chris Stafford.
Stafford has been the prevention officer for three years and throughout that time he thinks of new creative ideas to keep the students engaged with more styles of learning.
“We’re here to teach you the most important thing — how to stay safe,” Stafford told Walnut Street student.
That means knowing what a smoke alarm sounds like, staying low and going, and never going back inside once you’re out, he explained.
The highlight for many students came when Fire Chief Jessica Ellerbe demonstrated how quickly she could gear up in full protective clothing — nearly 45 pounds of equipment in under two minutes. The croud of students cheered as she donned her helmet and boots, flashlight clipped and ready for action.
The crowd cheered again when two Uniondale firefighters, commissioner Anthony Lebron and ex-chief Jean Laurent, ran through the gym waving fire emoji’s, only to be ‘chased down’ by former UFD firefighter and now NYFD Johnathan Broome wielding a water can, dramatically ‘putting out’ the fire.
“A while back he sprayed everybody by accident. And then we’re like, oh no we don’t want to get in trouble, but they (students) went crazy, it was great,” Ellerbe said. “Now we spray a little bit each time.”
Outside, students got a close-up look at Uniondale’s towering fire truck and learned the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine. “This one’s faster, cooler and better,” Stafford explained to wide-eyed children.
The UFD also emphasized the importance of having a family meeting place and escape plan.
“Once you’re out you should have a meeting space with your parents – one would probably be in front of your house, your neighbors house, but not your house,” Stafford emphasized.
Lebron spoke about the real-life challenges of the job — from old wiring in homes to rising fires caused by lithium batteries. “A lot has changed,” he said. ”
Assistant Principal Janel Benny said “They remember these lessons — and they’re fun too.”
