California Volunteer Firefighters brought the newest city firetruck to the elementary school for Fire Prevention Week on Thursday, Oct. 16. In addition, a Mid-Mo ambulance crewed by Debbie Rugen and Brandon Hicks visited the school and invited the preschool class, taught by Jodeen Maness, to check out the emergency vehicle.
Firefighters J.L. Lucas, Jay Fortner, Andrew Geiser and Brandon Embry were accompanied by Fire Pup. To demonstrate what a firefighter looks like while entering to fight a fire, Embry donned the full fire gear including the mask with oxygen tank. Children familiarized with a geared-up firefighter are less likely to be afraid of them when they are on the job.
The firefighters spoke to the students about safety in the home, with special emphasis on the need for smoke detectors with working batteries.
Because of the rainy weather, the visit was put off a week, according to Chief Allen Smith. Fire Prevention Week was actually the previous week.