“What’s your address?” Cohoes elementary school students learned that this is the first thing a dispatcher will ask when you call 911. That was just one of many important safety tips that members of the Cohoes Fire Department imparted to students during Fire Prevention Week October 8-14.
During classroom visits with students, the firemen made sure children knew that 911 was the emergency number and reminded them to memorize their address. They reviewed scenarios when it was appropriate to call 911 and those that were not (a missing cat). They told students that if an adult couldn’t make the call, they should.
The firemen also discussed the importance of smoke detectors, fire drills at school, home fire drills, sleeping with the door closed, fireplace and cooking safety, and reminded the children to never go back inside a burning building for their favorite pet or toy.
“Don’t hide under your bed or in a closet,” warned Fireman/EMT Rob Wattsman, also reminding kids to never play with matches or lighters.
Students went outside to check out the fire trucks and learned the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine. A truck has a ladder, and is primarily used for search, rescue and ventilation; an engine is designed to carry 500 gallons of water and is used to pump water from a hydrant to put fires out.
Thank you to the Cohoes Fire Department for helping to keep our students safe!