Academy kids learn basics of fire safety

The children escaped from the Fire Department’s smoke-simulation trailer and helped a firefighter put out "blazes" in a burning house model.

By: Eileen Oldfield
   Playing with the hose and crawling around outside are a normal part of a kid’s summer vacation, but for the 23 township children who attended the Hillsborough Bureau of Fire Safety’s first Junior Fire Academy on Monday, these normally common activities had a safety-oriented twist.
   The program brought the basics of fire safety to the kids’ doorstep by addressing fire hazards, smoke detectors, what to do during a fire, and fire escape plans that kids might find or need at home. During the academy, the kids reviewed the basics of fire safety and firefighting with the Fire Department and the Rescue Squad, toured the Fire Academy on Roycefield Road, saw demonstrations of fire equipment, practiced fire safety and watched a Jaws of Life demonstration.
   "We are constantly looking at new and better ways to better educate the public about fire safety," said Chief Fire Marshal Christopher Weniger. "Our office makes public education a high priority, and this program will be more of a hands-on approach to fire safety education."
   While the program’s primary goal was teaching the kids fire safety, it wasn’t your normal sit-at-a-desk class. In addition to touring the facility and watching demonstrations, the kids escaped from the Fire Department’s smoke-simulation trailer, and helped a firefighter put out "blazes" in a burning house model.
   According to Mr. Weniger, the bureau planned a second session for older kids, but canceled it when no one signed up.
   "We tried to have two separate programs, one for the 8- to 11-(year-old) children and one for 12 to 16 years old," said Mr. Weniger. "We felt that these two age groups would allow the most amount of participation and ability to participate and understand the presentations."
   Though many children enjoyed the smoke simulation house, using the fire hose and watching the Rescue Squad use the Jaws of Life, some suggested improvements.
   "I’d like to see the car catch on fire," said one hopeful participant.
   "Maybe not have this so early," said Brandon White, 10. "Not at 8 in the morning."
   While Mr. Weniger couldn’t promise pyrotechnics or a later starting time, he said he considers the program a success, and plans to make it an annual event.
   To attend the academy, parents had to register their kids through the township recreation program. Approximately 10 members of Hillsborough’s Emergency Services ran the program, including members of Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Volunteer Fire Company No. 2, Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 and the Hillsborough Rescue Squad.