San Saba Volunteer Fire Department staff visited San Saba Elementary School on Monday, October 4th, to teach students, teachers, and staff about steps to take in the event of a fire. The firefighters educated their audience about establishing a meeting place and how to get out of the house in the event of a fire.
Students were encouraged to go home and ask their parents where to gather outside the home if there’s a fire. Next, they were instructed on the following steps to use during a practice drill, as well as use during the event of a real fire:
• Crawl on the floor to get out of the house;
• Yell “Fire! Fire!” while leaving the house so everyone is alerted; and
• Don’t try to find and save a pet - firefighters will do that! Just get out of the house and go to the agreed upon meeting place.
SSVFD volunteers also showed the students some of the firefighting tools, and described other services provided by the department (Jaws of Life, swift water rescue, etc.). One of SSVFD’s fire engines and a brush truck, along with water rescue craft, were on display during their campus presentation. In addition, some of the students were able to put on fire gear and felt the heavy weight, somewhat cumbersome, feel of the protection gear (also called bunker gear) from head to toe. Students learned that the clothing that firefighters wear helps protect them from the many dangerous conditions associated with their jobs.
SSVFD volunteers visit the Elementary campus every year during National Fire Prevention Week in order to teach new and returning students the steps to take to safely get out of a structure fire.