In honor of Fire Prevention Week, kindergartners at Clear Stream Avenue and Shaw Avenue schools learned about fire safety and the important role that firefighters play in the community with a trip to the Clearstream Avenue Firehouse on Oct. 12. With teachers leading the way, the classes walked to the firehouse ready to meet volunteer firefighters from Engine Company No. 4 and get an up-close look at a firetruck, the fire safety equipment and a smokehouse.

The Clearstream Avenue firehouse has facilitated a fire safety program for students since 1985. Kindergartners had the opportunity to go inside the firetruck, learned how to stop, drop and roll inside the firehouse, try on equipment and hear from volunteer firefighters who spoke about what they wear in a fire situation. The students were fully engaged in the visit as they asked questions and toured the firehouse. 

“I really liked wearing the fireman’s jacket,” said kindergarten student Emma Estrada. “I liked going in the firetruck.” 

The students also learned about how to safely escape an emergency fire situation. They entered a smokehouse where firefighter and ex-captain Bill Kupfer stressed the importance of calling 911 in an emergency. One by one, the students then learned how to escape out of a window with the help of the volunteer firefighters. At the end of the visit, the firefighters presented each class with fire hats, stickers and a fire safety book to take home.