In October, 42 excited students from Goornong Primary School walked across the road to the Goornong Rural Fire station for a fire safety session.
The aim of the day was to teach the students about fire safety in the home as well as learning about the role of the fire brigade. We were lucky to have Wendy and Doreen from the North West Community Education team to assist and they provided various resources including the smoke house. These ladies did an amazing job keeping the kids engaged with interesting activities, humour and clear messages that could save these precious lives one day.
The students enjoyed learning about fire safety at home including interactive discussions about home fire escape plans, smoke alarms and getting out and staying out during fires. The smoke house was a fantastic resource for showing the students to get down low and get out of a smoke-filled house.
The crew of the fire brigade also took the students on a tour of the station (many of them are already very familiar with the station having mums or dads in the brigade!). Discussion followed about the role of the brigade and the variety of roles within the brigade.
Outside the station the students were given an opportunity to get familiar with one of our tankers which included pumps, BA, lights and sirens. Each student got an opportunity to hold a hose and squirt water and many got quite excited seeing the rainbow as they turned the water stream to mist!
When they returned to school, Captain Koala was waiting for them and the school was presented with a sign which now sits proudly on the front gate. The school is now incorporating the fire messages in a fire safety poster competition which will be exhibited in Goornong Fire Station during a community open day.
It is vital that fire safety messages are reinforced throughout a child’s life and that these key messages are taken home and shared with the family.
Story by Felicity Johnson of Goornong Fire Brigade
Author: District 2 News