Lind firefighters visit local students for Fire Prevention Week

Members from the Adams County Fire Protection District 2 in Lind visited students at the elementary school on Oct. 13 for Fire Prevention Week.

Volunteer Firefighter D.J. Williamson, Fire Chief Kevin Starring and Assistant Chief Mike Doyle went into classrooms and presented the students with information about fire safety, as well as answered questions and provided the children with candy, stickers and T-shirts for the second-grade class.

During his presentation, Williamson reminded students to make sure they have working smoke detectors installed in their homes and to change the batteries in the device every six months.

He also told the students if they see their friends playing with a match or a lighter, they should notify an adult.

Williamson also advised students to develop, discuss and review an evacuation plan with their families in case their home catches fire.

The plan should include two escape routes from the home and a meeting area outside of the structure, such as a tree, driveway or a neighbor’s house.

Williamson said once a fire starts in their home, students and their families should immediately evacuate and not go back inside for any toys, items or pets. They should also never go back into the house until a firefighter deems the building is safe.

Another tip from Williamson was if students hear sirens approaching their address, they should get as far away from the road as they can and find a safe spot as quickly as possible.

Williamson said if children are in the car with their parents and they see an emergency vehicle behind them, they should alert the adult to pull over and let the vehicle pass them.

Students also had the opportunity to try on firefighting gear from Williamson, Starring and Doyle.

After the presentation, students met with Adam and Eric Labes, who let them explore the vehicles and activate the siren.

The firefighters also provided the students with information about some of the equipment they use during an emergency, such as a spray nozzle and hydraulic tools, which Eric Labes said are used to help rescue a person who is trapped in a vehicle.