Students learn basics of fire fighting at Junior Fire Patrol
BROKEN BOW - How to use a fire extinguisher, how to move through a smoke-filled room, what happens during a car wreck rescue and what to do if there is a fire on the kitchen stove - those were some of the many things addressed at Junior Fire Patrol last Thursday, May 2. Fifth graders from Broken Bow and sixth graders from
Anselmo-Merna received hands-on experience under the direction of members of the Broken Bow and Merna fire departments at the Broken Bow Fire Station.
Josie Carr and Sean Hendrickson from Anselmo-Merna watched as a firefighter made a loud bang hitting the tire of a wrecked car.
“He popped the tire so it (the car) won’t move while they work on it,”
Josie explained. Her parents are Rowdy Carr and Dayna and Dallas Thomas. Sean’s parents are Justin Hendrickson and Staci and Brett Franzen.
This is the second year Anselmo-Merna students joined Broken Bow students at the event.
“It’s huge,” Merna Assistant Chief Justin Potter said. “The kids enjoy it and they learn a lot. They’re getting hands-on experience. We can bring
Above left, under the watchful eye of Craig Leth with the Merna Fire Department, Broken Bow fifth grader Braxton Varland, son of Tyler and Jessica Varland, practices using a fire extinguisher. Above right, Nathan Myers gives the Junior Fire Patrol a thumbs up. The Broken Bow fifth grader is the son of John and Janie Myers. At right, Cherilyn Leth of the Merna Fire Department and Paul Holland of the Broken Bow Fire Department, not pictured, demonstrate what to do if there is a kitchen fire. At left, Sean Hendrickson and Kacen Martin of A-M work as a team to douse flames while Madison Thomas and Alyson Sherbenaut of Broken Bow wait their turn. Parents of the children are Justin Hendrickson and Staci and Brett Franzen, Corrin Murphy and Kyle Martin, Crystal Litchenburger and Stephen Thomas and Carl and Catherine Sherbenaut, respectively. them here and they can see what we do and what we encounter.”
Broken Bow Fifth graders, Braxton Varland and Nathan Myers talked about what they learned about being in a smoke filled room.
“It’s foggy and you can’t see,” Braxton said. “Be safe and low on the floor with the smoke above you.”
“Cooperation is essential to it,” Nathan added.
Braxton’s parents are Tyler and Jessica Varland. Nathan’s parents are John and Janie Myers.
While using a hose to put out a small hay fire, students learned the importance of making sure the fire is completely out. “If you spray it only a little, the fire will still be there,” Madison Thomas said. “The fire can still catch and grow.” The Broken Bow fifth grader is the daughter of Crystal Litchenburger and Stephen Thomas.
Broken Bow Fire
Chief Dustin Watson was glad to see so many students participating. He also expressed appreciation for support of local vendors.
“Thank you to Grocery Kart for the donation of the food,” he said, “And thank you to Kort Transfer of Litchfield for the donation of the hay.”