Scooby's Den learns fire safety

Devin Fox, Kyler Fox and Aydin Rodriguez show the rest of the children what to do if you ever catch on fire - stop, drop and roll. The children from Scooby?s Den daycare were able to participate in a fire department demonstration for National Fire Safety Month. (Photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Donnelly)

Scooby's Den learns fire safety

Tech. Sgt. Eric Hartman, 231st Civil Engineering Flight fire protection coordinator, teaches the children from Scooby?s Den to crawl low to the floor as smoke fills the room in a simulated fire. Sergeant Hartman explained to the children to have two plans of escape in case of a fire. (Photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Donnelly)

231st CEF Fire Department knows it's never too early to teach fire safety

Published Oct. 6, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Jessica Donnelly
131st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Lambert IAP -- The 231st Civil Engineering Flight Fire Department coordinated with the Central County Fire Rescue to teach fire safety to the children at Scooby's Den Oct. 5 for National Fire Safety Month.

This year's theme focuses on fire safety at home, explained Senior Master Sgt. Tim Hill, 231st Civil Engineering Flight fire protection manager.

The fire department demonstration included teaching the children what to do in case a fire starts at home.

For example, Tech. Sgt. Eric Hartman, 231st Civil Engineering Flight fire protection coordinator, showed the children how to evacuate their bedrooms by using a fire safety trailer to simulate a fire in the home. Sergeant Hartman had the children crawl through the smoke, feel the door to see that it was warm, and showed them how to escape through the window.

Also, Staff Sgt. Jed Wilson, 131st Fire Department firefighter, put on his fire gear to for the children to demonstrate that fire fighters are just like everybody else and not to be scared of them and hide in an emergency.

"Fire safety is everyone's responsibility," said Sergeant Hill. "If we give kids information, they'll take it home to their parents to provide a safer environment to live in."

Sergeant Hill also worked with Master Sgt. David Maupin, 131st Fire Department fire chief, to teach a Fire Extinguisher Class open to the 231st and the 131st Oct. 4 for National Fire Safety Month.