Learning about Emergencies at Washington School
Emergency vehicles rolled into the Washington Primary School driveway last week to help advance the cause of safety and improve the general knowledge of students about the role of firefighters and rescue workers.
Vehicles and personnel from the Huntington Community First Aid Squad and Huntington Fire Department arrived at the school on separate days for carefully crafted presentations tailored for young people. Students responded to the visitors with a mixture of excitement and interest.
“This is an annual tradition at Washington School,” said Karen Martin, Washington’s nurse and herself a member of the First Aid Squad. “By teaching our students various ways to prevent injuries, including wearing a bicycle helmet and understanding the power of electricity, we just might be able avoid a tragedy.”
The youngsters learned about what rescue workers do, the equipment carried in a rescue vehicle and what it’s used for. They even had an opportunity to go inside and inspect gear. “They were excited,” Mrs. Martin said. “It was a new experience for them.”
Rescue workers stressed there was no reason to worry at the sight of an ambulance, its siren or flashing lights. “We want students to know the ambulance means help is on the way,” Mrs. Martin said. “Some students need to be reassured because some of them fear the sight of an ambulance. They have to understand the workers are coming to help.”
This year Washington School has about 400 students ranging from kindergarten through third grade. “These annual visits by emergency personnel are geared to help us keep our students safe and secure, at school and at home, too,” Principal Marsha Neville said. “We are doing all we can to give them the information they need to make good decisions from an early age and educating them about what to do during an emergency situation.”
The Huntington Fire Department provided classroom lessons in fire prevention and safety and what to do should an emergency occur. Students were told that advanced planning is vital such as an escape route out of house.
The youngsters learned about the devastating effect of fire, how smoke itself can kill and how to avoid a terrible fate by thinking quickly, but calmly. The department’s Smoke House was on the scene to simulate conditions in a smoke filled home and how to escape to safety.
“It’s helpful for students to know about the community resources available in an emergency,” Mrs. Martin said. “It’s also nice that these organizations are able to work with our young people and our local schools.”
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