Oct 25, 2017 3 min read

ROGERSVILLE – Two minutes. That’s all the time Center Township fire Chief Charlie Jones told West Greene Elementary School students they have to get out of their house if it’s on fire.

That’s one of many facts he reinforced during the fire safety presentation Friday morning. This year’s theme is every second counts, plan two ways to get out.

The fire department talks to children annually around fire prevention week to make sure they’re familiar and comfortable with firefighters.

Principal Don Painter said the goal is if the kids hear the program enough times, they’ll know what to do in the event of a fire.

But it’s not just about education in the school. Jones also emphasized that parents play an important role in reinforcing that information.

“Parents need to work with the kids,” he said.

Establishing a safe meeting place in the event of a fire, testing fire alarms and practicing fire drills, both during the day and at night, will ensure children are prepared. Jones also added that people, not just children, need to make sure they tell firefighters any relevant information in an emergency.

One important part of the demonstration, especially for younger children, is showing a firefighter dressing in and out of their gear piece by piece. It shows that despite their strange appearance and voice, it’s the same person there to help them.

“I can’t get hurt because then I can’t come and save you,” Jones told a group of kindergartners and first- and second-graders as he put on his boots, pants, coat, mask and helmet.

Jones also went over the fact that anyone escaping a burning building should crawl. Smoke rises, so breathable air will be closer to the ground. He demonstrated that during a fire in the night, you won’t be able to see your escape route. It’s important to keep it clear.

It’s common for kids to hide from firefighters because of the way they’re dressed.

“That happens so often,” Jones said.

He made sure the students knew that underneath all of that gear was the same person at the start of the presentation.

“We want to make sure that everything we do is to protect you,” he said. “What I’m asking is that you boys and girls don’t run away from a firefighter. We look like this because we care.”