Marine Corps Base Quantico -- The Quantico Fire and Emergency Services participated in National Fire Safety Week Oct. 5-9 aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. The week’s events were geared towards promoting situational awareness and familiarization of firefighters to military children.

In an effort to keep them safe, children learned to identify fire alarms and were encouraged to help their parents promote annual checks on alarms in their homes.

According to Patrick Vaughn, Fire Station 533 fireman, the week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and has been observed nation wide since 1922.

Fire department staff had surprises around every corner when they visited Crossroads Elementary School to emphasize the importance of fire safety. Climbing aboard a fire truck, many children learned details about equipment from experienced firefighters.

A fire-safety trailer provided a place for children to experience more realistic training, such as how to safety exit a smoke filled room. Part of the training included general home safety in a staged kitchen with a faux wooden fireplace. Children were encouraged to create a fire escape plan, and most importantly never go back inside a burning building.

“Panic kills,” said Brian Carneal, fire inspector. “Survivability goes up when you get over panic. Realistic training helps people feel more confident in hazardous situations. During an emergency seeing a firefighter can be a big shock, and so we want children to trust us.”

Firefighters encouraged children to never hide from a firefighter. A puppet show at the child development centers showed toddlers how firefighters help them when they are in trouble with the help of characters Bert, Ernie and Big Bird.

Small children met real firefighters, while some teachers dressed head-to-toe in firefighter gear to show that firefighters are our friends.

“Working in the school is a good way to get the message across in an environment where children are used to learning,” said Leon Hughes, fire inspector.

— Writer: iirby@quanticosentryonline.com