On October 8 and 9, 1871 the Great Chicago Fire swept through the
growing metropolis killing 250 people, leaving 200,000 more homeless
and scorching more than 2,000 acres of land.
Each year the week surrounding these dates commemorates National Fire Prevention Week, and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department has been more than busy. From Sunday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 10 the department has been hosting classes from around the area to tour the fire station and learn first safety tips. The class lectures are a lead-in to Lake Avenue Fire Department's Fire Safety Open House which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. As part of the event, the Fire Department will exhibit a "Smoke Bus," or a simulated home environment where children can play and learn about heat detection and fire hazards within a home and can practice safely exiting a simulated smoky building.
"It's really important for children to learn fire safety at a young age and keep reinforcing it every year," said Firefighter Bob Reeves. "This is a really busy week for us but it's something that is so important."
Throughout the day on Saturday, families are invited to the Lake Avenue Fire Station for fire drills and demonstrations, hands-on activities, food, games and prizes. The main attraction however is believed to be the Smoke Bus.
"The kids always have a lot of fun with the Smoke Bus," said Firefighter Robert Murphy. "They get to the end of the bus, laughing, and end up right back in line to go in again. It's a fun way to teach very valuable lessons."
On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Reeves and Murphy toured kindergarten students from St. Clement's Regional Catholic School around the station in order to familiarize them with common procedures and the job of a firefighter.
"We always have someone dress in full gear because we don't want children to be afraid of firefighters," Reeves said. "We let the kids interact with the firefighter in full dress -- let them give high-fives - just to show them that firefighters are their friends; they are here to help."
When speaking with younger children, the most important points to drive home are to call 911 if there is an emergency, to "stop, drop and roll" if their clothes catch on fire and how to safely get out of their house if there is a fire with multiple escape routes.
"When the alarm goes off, we shouldn't be scared because we are prepared for what to do," Murphy told the students. "Tonight I'm giving you homework. I want you all to go home and have a family meeting about what to do if there is a fire and where you all will meet when you get outside your house."
"It's really important for children to learn fire safety at a young age and keep reinforcing it every year," said Firefighter Bob Reeves. "This is a really busy week for us but it's something that is so important."
Throughout the day on Saturday, families are invited to the Lake Avenue Fire Station for fire drills and demonstrations, hands-on activities, food, games and prizes. The main attraction however is believed to be the Smoke Bus.
"The kids always have a lot of fun with the Smoke Bus," said Firefighter Robert Murphy. "They get to the end of the bus, laughing, and end up right back in line to go in again. It's a fun way to teach very valuable lessons."
On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Reeves and Murphy toured kindergarten students from St. Clement's Regional Catholic School around the station in order to familiarize them with common procedures and the job of a firefighter.
"We always have someone dress in full gear because we don't want children to be afraid of firefighters," Reeves said. "We let the kids interact with the firefighter in full dress -- let them give high-fives - just to show them that firefighters are their friends; they are here to help."
When speaking with younger children, the most important points to drive home are to call 911 if there is an emergency, to "stop, drop and roll" if their clothes catch on fire and how to safely get out of their house if there is a fire with multiple escape routes.
"When the alarm goes off, we shouldn't be scared because we are prepared for what to do," Murphy told the students. "Tonight I'm giving you homework. I want you all to go home and have a family meeting about what to do if there is a fire and where you all will meet when you get outside your house."
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