Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Brittany Rinella, 9, squirts water with firefighter Mike Northrup at Sacred Heart School.

Firefighters visit schools with prevention message

By Cecily Barnes

In preparation for Fire Prevention Week, which begins Oct. 6, Saratoga firefighters waxed their shiny red engines and drove to Foothill, St. Andrews, Argonaut, Saratoga and Sacred Heart elementary schools. At each school, the firefighters met with excited kids to explain to them about fire prevention, fire safety and, best of all, a contest that they will be holding.

"The whole United States celebrates Fire Prevention Week," firefighter Beau Rahn explained to kids at Sacred Heart Elementary School. "This year's theme is smoke detectors and how to check them to make sure they're working."

Students were given an assignment to go home that night and, with their parents, change the battery in their smoke detectors.

But it wasn't all work. Kids covered their ears as the firefighters demonstrated a roaring siren, and two ecstatic volunteers were picked out of a sea of raised arms to take turns spraying the fire hose. The kids also asked questions and made comments. A fourth-grader asked how long it took to get a firefighting degree.

Teachers, students and firefighters all seemed to have a great time.

"The kids were very excited," said Sacred Heart kindergarten teacher Carol Grube. "Firemen are our helpers, and the kids shouldn't be afraid of them."

Luckily, the kids were too excited about the possibility of winning prizes to be afraid. In addition to offering safety tips and fire engine fun, Beau Rahn explained about the essay and drawing contest that the department would be holding at the five elementary schools in town.

First- through fourth-graders will submit pictures, and fifth-graders will write essays about fire safety. The grand-prize winner at each school gets a bicycle, and other prize winners will receive a Sony Walkman or colored pens.

"The main focus is to get a firesafety tip out to the kids," Rahn explained, "and having a contest is a fun way of doing it."

Contestants must submit their pictures or essays to the fire department by Oct. 4, and winners will be given their prizes on Oct. 9.