Firefighters Teach Fire Safety to NPES Second Graders

Firefighters Teach Fire Safety to NPES Second Graders

NPES second graders got a special course in fire safety Wednesday, October 15 at the City of Chicago's Survive Alive House. City firefighters educated students about the importance of testing fire alarms, working with parents to plan an escape route and tips for preventing and detecting a fire. 

Students also participated in a hands-on demonstration where they entered a two-bedroom home environment. The room filled with simulated smoke and the fire detector sounded, allowing the children to crawl across the floor to a door, and use the back of their hand to check the temperature of that door. They safely entered the door and once all the children in the house escaped and arrived at their meeting place across the street, one student was instructed to call 911 to explain the emergency. It provided students with the life-saving skills and experience to escape the perils of a fire. 

Students also got a look at fire fighting gear, Chicago's original steam-powered fire engines and at the monument to the volunteers who have fallen in the line of duty. In the lobby — students learned about the plaque marking where the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 began. 

The tour ended with a view of the area where firefighters train by maneuvering through mock buildings and climbing ladders at sickening heights. While waiting for the bus, students participated in a FAQ with firefighters, where they asked great questions and shared stories.

Stop, Drop and Roll Fun Fact: The sliding pole was invented in Chicago in 1878. The original was made of wood.

The second graders would like to remind all NPES families that when you change your clock on November 2, change your battery on your smoke alarms.

Lauren Russ - mother of Zachary (2nd Grade) and Jacob (4th Grade)