March 08, 2006
Wednesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Over a dozen preschool age children, accompanied by a parent, took advantage of an exciting free tour of the Ketchikan Fire Department sponsored by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Parks and Recreation Preschool Program on Tuesday.

Firefighter/Medics James Kleinschmidt and Greg Karlik kicked off the tour with a short video of Sparky the Fire Dog teaching the Fire Safety Alphabet.

Dressed in his firefighting uniform, the lovable Dalmatian Sparky taught the youngsters important life-saving techniques and behavior that most adults take for granted.

• Don't play with matches, lighters, candles, heaters, toasters, etc.
• Keep lighters and matches in the right hands - adult hands.
• If you're in a burning building, quickly crawl out, stay below the smoke.
• Always have two ways to get out of a building in case of fire.
• Families should plan ahead on a place to meet outside in event of a fire
• If your clothes are on fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL and cover your face.

After the video, Firefighter/Medic Karlik showed the children a home smoke alarm to familiarize them with the sound and explained its purpose. Asking questions to keep the children involved, Karlik proceeded to instruct the youngsters on what they should do if a smoke alarm goes off in their home.

Karlik's "show and tell" portion of the presentation included fellow Firefighter/Medic James Kleinschmidt as a live mannequin. Since many children could be easily frightened by the sight of a firefighter in full firefighting gear, it's imperative that the children learn that underneath all the clothing, hard hat and hissing oxygen mask is just a regular man or woman.

Kleinshcmidt, in KFD slacks and polo shirt began by slowly adding one piece of firefighting gear after another, reassuring the children as he proceeded.

Karlik forewarned the children that Kleinschmidt's voice would sound different once he donned the oxygen mask.

Once Kleinschmidt was in full firefighting uniform, Devin Cragun, accompanied by his mother said, "You look like Darth Vader giving Karlik the opportunity to assure the children that unlike Darth Vader, firefighters are "good guys".

Continuing the demonstration, Kleinschmidt crawled on the floor, simulating a firefighter searching for victims in a burning building and asked the children to make as much noise as possible so he could find them. Karlik stressed to the children to never ever hide under the bed or in a closet.

Next stop for the children was the dispatch center where they met Dispatcher Darlene Guzman followed by a peek at the brass fire pole used by firefighters to quickly slide downstairs to their emergency vehicles when responding to an alarm when every second counts.

As the tour moved to the garage, the children were delighted to find they would be allowed to sit in the driver's seat of the fire truck. One at a time Kleinschmidt patiently lifted each child into the cab while answering their numerous questions.

Moving to the ambulance, the children climbed in the patient care compartment where Kleinschmidt began to describe the many life support machines and medicines that lined the interior.

After a successful demonstration, Karlik presented the children with a coloring book, educational fire safety brochures, a drink tumbler and an honorary fire department badge that the children appeared to be proud to wear.

Throughout the entire tour it was obvious that Karlik and Kleinschmidt have plenty of personal experience with toddlers, as displayed by their patience and the ability to explain everything on a level that the children could easily understand.

Do your children know what to do in the event of a fire? Does your family have a home evacuation plan? For answers to these questions and more information visit the web site of Sparky the Fire Dog, a kid friendly site with information, activities and the story of Sparky the Fire Dog. http://www.sparky.org/index.html

On the Web:

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Parks and Recreation Department offers many activities for all ages that can be accessed on their web site at:
http://www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us/parks/parks.htm

For more information about the Ketchikan Fire Department click on:
http://www.city.ketchikan.ak.us/departments/safety/firehome.html

SitNews
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Ketchikan, Alaska