-
Snyder Fire Department Lt. Ben Poe showed Snyder Christian School students (l-r) Trintyn Hastey and Kevin Nguyen how a hydraulic rescue tool works during a tour Wednesday.
Elementary school students toured the Snyder Fire Department Wednesday during Fire Prevention Week activities.
Snyder Christian School students were joined by two second grade classes in Pollock — through Skpe — on the tour.
Lt. Ben Poe, who directed the tour, said he believes teaching fire prevention to students is important because they teach what they learn to their families.
“Fire prevention is what I take to heart because if I can save one kid’s life in my whole life then that will be worth it,” Poe said.
In addition to the tour, Poe told students what to do in case they are in a house fire in the middle of the night — to stay low and get out of the house. He told them to inspect smoke alarms once a month, change the batteries twice a year — at the beginning and end of daylight saving time — and to make sure the alarms are not older than 10 years. Poe also explained how the stop, drop and roll technique is used when clothes are on fire.
Firefighter Kohl Angeley demonstrated how to put on the personal protective equipment within 90 seconds. Sparky the Fire Dog also greeted students.
“It’s good for them to come every year because it serves as a refresher course for them,” said Christian school teacher Beverly James. “It promotes safety in their homes.”
Audrey Derrick, a Central Elemenaty School teacher in Pollock, said it was the first time she used Skype in the classroom.
“I told the students about Skype and that we were going to West Texas to see a fire station,” Derrick said. “They were really excited. None of them had ever seen the inside of a real fire station. We have a volunteer fire department, but it’s totally different. It only has an office and a restroom. I wanted them to see where a fireman sleeps and lives for 24 hours a day.”
She said her students enjoyed the virtual tour.
“I made it into a writing assignment. They wrote about what they learned and what steps to take in certain fire situations,” Derrick said.
Poe said Snyder ISD teachers have been teaching fire safety this week and will visit the station later in the month.