East Franklin, Applewold Firefighters Reinforce Safety
East Franklin Township Fire Captain Mike Kutch shows off various pieces of equipment to a group of West Hills Primary first graders yesterday morning.
West Hills Primary School first graders learned four different lessons in fire safety this week from some local firefighters.
From 9-11AM, First-grade Teacher Brandi Oliver - a local teacher for four years - said the eight first-grade classes attended four different stations: the outside fire trucks, talking to firefighters about their safety equipment in the school auditorium, a fire truck snack in the cafeteria and fire activities online in the computer lab.
East Franklin Fire Captain Mike Kutch was outside the school with Engine 62 and Rescue 65 explaining different equipment on the apparatuses and answering questions.
Kutch has been a volunteer for 18 years - ever since he was in high school. He now is also a paramedic.
He said there are a pair of junior firefighters currently in the department as well.
Township volunteer Pat Cavanaugh taught prevention with the junior firefighters in the auditorium.
“Fire safety starts with fire prevention,” Cavanaugh said. “We have to tell (students) a little bit about everything and hope that a little bit of it sticks in case of a fire.”
He hoped younger students will continue learning prevention and safety by way of their parents, grandparents or teachers.
Oliver said the lessons will continue throughout the week, such as students writing how they can be safe, identifying safe items versus unsafe items.
“We’re going to talk about it more - make sure they understand everything that they learned (Tuesday) as we go back into the classroom,” Oliver said. “We looked at what they already learned and connected it all.”
She praised all the volunteers that came to the school.
“(Volunteer firefighters) do a great job - the kids really love it,” Oliver concluded.
Local News, Armstrong School District | KP NewsDesk October 16, 2015
