Firefighter Visits Third-Graders at Stewart School

Sitting (left to right): Dennis Lind, Connor Campbell, Catherine Falco, Sydney Carlino, Daniel Valenti, Ryan Connolly, Emma Bingold, Stephanie Tarian. Standing (left to right): Michael Malaszczyk, Ava Erickson, Elizabeth Nguyen, James Rosato, George MacIntyre, Maegan Emmert, Ryan Joudeh, Firefighter Charles James, John Mahland, Maxwell Harmon, Caroline Cudahy, Meredith Aneser, Kyle Ober, Andrea Choi.

Stewart School students in Carol Lansdale's third-grade class marked Fire Prevention Week in October with a close look at protective gear brought to the class by a New York City Firefighter from Ladder 127 in Jamaica. Firefighter Charles James, father of student teacher Nicole James, visited the class with his own personal equipment.

Known as bunker gear, the equipment includes a helmet, turnout coat, boots, bunker pants, and gloves. Firefighter James told the students that the gear protects him from heat, water, and falling objects when he is fighting fires. Every student had the opportunity to try on the gloves, hold the boots, feel how heavy the turnout coat is, and have a picture taken with the helmet.

"There is no better way to learn about fire safety and prevention than to speak with a real firefighter," Ms. James said. Firefighter James proved the rule, discussing many practices that can help save lives. Among the fire prevention and safety tips he shared:

• If you need to stop, drop and roll (because your cloths or hair have caught fire), also cover your face with your hands and hold your breath.

• If you are in a building fire, before opening a door, feel the doorknob with the back of your hand; if the doorknob feels hot, do not open the door-use another exit instead.

• If you are in a building that is very smoky, crawl low to the floor to breathe the smoke-free air that settles there; your nose should almost touch the floor.

• Plan and practice a fire escape route with your family; establish a meeting place outside of your house.

• Once you are safe outside of a burning building, dial 911 and tell the operator about your emergency; there is always someone there to answer your call!

• Firefighters are there to help you; even though they may be in heavy uniforms or wearing masks, they are still our friends.

All students received the Official FDNY Fire Safety Activity Coloring Book, which can be downloaded free, along with many other fire prevention resources for children, at http://www.fdnyfirezone.org/resources/.

The class thanks the many brave men and women who work so hard to protect us and extends a special thanks to Firefighter James for his special visit.