Students learn fire safety
DECATUR — Students from two Decatur schools recently got the opportunity to interact with members of the firefighting community and stand next to a real fire engine.
The Decatur Fire Department, along with a Med Flight Evac helicopter based in Bentonville, was on hand Oct. 5 in the parking lot at Northside Elementary, kicking off the 2018 National Fire Prevention Week which started Oct. 9. The Northside Fire Safety Day began at 9 a.m. when the Med Flight helicopter touched down on the old soccer field just north of the school’s safe room.
Students from Decatur Pre-K school were bused over to Northside to participate in the event. They were among the first students to
tour the helicopter, Decatur Rescue 2451 and Benton County Tanker 2413 fire units, and the smoke simulation trailer.
Each class from Northside Elementary joined in the fun, learning about the job each Decatur firefighter performs while on duty.
Pilot Chris Lott, flight paramedic Jarred Vickers and flight nurse Nat Van Winkle explained the function of their air evacuation helicopter and how the aircraft works.
The day ended with the departure and low pass over Northside of the Med Flight helicopter on its way back to Bentonville.
Children were taught that fire safety is everybody’s responsibility. They were told to form a family plan to safely evacuate their homes in case of fire and practice this plan periodically. Parents were told to teach their children their home address and how to dial 911 in case of emergencies.