mskutnick posted on October 04, 2010 15:46
In conjunction with Fire Prevention Week -- Oct. 3-9, 2010 -- Harrisburg firefighters will spend October educating children about fire safety and honoring their fellow men and women dedicated to fire service.
Members of the Harrisburg Fire Department will visit 11 local schools and daycares this month to educate children about the importance of fire prevention and safety. Kindergarteners and third graders are typically the target age for this program, though many other age groups are included.
"We get a chance to have exposure to them twice," said Fire Marshal David Montague, noting that reinforcement is vital. "We try to be really, really progressive with our fire prevention."
Montague said firefighters will teach area students about practices and prevention measures in addition to techniques, such as "Stop, Drop and Roll", necessary in fire situations. Children at these events will also have an opportunity to practice those learned measures in the department's mobile smoke house, providing increased reinforcement. More than 1,000 kids are expected to receive fire education throughout October, added Montague.
This year's theme for Fire Prevention Week is "Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!" For more information on this year's campaign, visit
www.firepreventionweek.org.
Also in observance of Fire Prevention Week, the Harrisburg Fire Department will participate in the annual Cabarrus County Fireman's Association Memorial Service. Fire departments, emergency medical services and fire marshal offices will join together at the Cabarrus County Government Center this Saturday, Oct. 9 at Noon for the service.
"We get together to memorialize those who have given their life to service and those who died in the line of service," said Montague, mentioning the particular significance this event holds for Harrisburg firefighters.
"It means a lot to us because we have people here who have made the ultimate sacrifice," the fire marshal said, referring to two Harrisburg firefighters whose lives were lost in the line of duty.
Saturday's memorial service will include a processional by Piper Concord Pipe & Drums, remarks from area firefighters and officials, and a final alarm dedicated to fallen firefighters.
The Cabarrus County Fireman's Association Memorial Service is open to the public.