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FLORENCE: Children take part in mini fire academy

In commemoration of Fire Prevention Week, the fire department invited children of all ages to participate in their own version of “academy training” last Friday.

by Amy Batista, Special Writer
FLORENCE — In commemoration of Fire Prevention Week, the fire department invited children of all ages to participate in their own version of “academy training” last Friday.
   Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed the week of Oct. 9, according to the National Fire Protection Association website.
   During this week, many schools dedicate classroom and activity time to teach children the importance of fire safety and fire departments hold open houses to educate the public.
   Despite the rain, residents came out to support the event, which according to officials began about seven years ago.
   ”I thought the rain would hold them off,” said Florence Township Fire Department Chief Keith Scully, adding that certificates were given out and checked off as the kids visited the various stations.
   ”This year we were trying to run it like fire academy,” Chief Scully.
   Former Chief Lester Smith was also on hand for the event.
   ”It’s important to do it every year for the kids and remind them,” Mr. Smith said.
   Numerous stations were set up throughout the firehouse for residents and kids to participate in.The open house was held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 401 Firehouse Lane during which displays and demonstrations, refreshments and giveaways were available for all to enjoy and learn something new when it came to fire safety.
   ”I wasn’t expecting this, but this is awesome,” said Charde Coleman, of Florence. “It was a great experience for these kids.”
   Resident Jackie Kochenour, of Florence, agreed.
   ”I think it’s fantastic,” Kochenour said. “I wasn’t expecting it to be this thought out.”
   Former Chief Smith encourages residents to come out.
   ”They ought to come out because there are tons of things to do,” he said. “All kinds of safety things, all kinds of fun and games for the kids.”
   The message of this year’s week, preventing kitchen fires, encourages children and adults alike to implement behaviors that prevent fires and strategies to use in the event of a fire.
   Firefighter Wainwright was running the station that taught children about the smoke detector and how to properly feel the door.
       At another station children were taught how to “stay low and go” in which they crawled through a tunnel.
   The kids were able to test their firefighter skills at another station which challenged them to put on turnout gear, pull the hose and put the fire out.
   Children also practiced the “Stop, Drop and Roll” at a station.
   Antonio Harker, 6, of Roebling went for a ride on the fire truck, which was the highlight of his night.
   Antonio said he also learned how to “spray out the fires.”
   Chief Scully thanked everyone who came out that evening.
   ”We appreciate everyone’s support throughout the years,” Chief Scully said.
   In addition to efforts during prevention week, the fire department has a smoke detector program. If a resident needs a smoke detector, or have one, but need it installed, they can call to schedule an installation date.
   The department can also assist residents in changing your smoke detector’s batteries, according to its website.
   According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause home fires and home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment. Smoking is a leading cause of civilian home fire deaths. In 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to 370,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,910 civilian injuries, 2,520 civilian deaths and $6.9 billion in direct damage.
   In addition, two of every five home fires start in the kitchen. In over a third of such incidents, unattended cooking was a factor, per the NFPA website.
   National Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record, according to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center.