HAVFD Celebrates Fire Prevention Week

Last week was Fire Prevention Week and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, students from the St. Regis Mohawk School travelled to HAVFD Station 1 to get educated on fire prevention, safety and much more. Those who made the valuable fire prevention education possible include Dick Laffin, Jason McDonald, Frank Lacerenza, Richard Phillips, PJ Burns, Alyssa Lazore, Cam Mitchell, Jory Tarbell, Ernie Cree and Paul Sawatis.

Each session started with an age appropriate video on fire safety. It focused on having and practicing a safe escape plan, where to and where not to put smoke alarms, and when and how to test them. The video pointed out that smoke detectors are important for many reasons, among them that most fires occur between 2am and 5am.

Head Instructor Jason McDonald told the kids, "There is no reason you shouldn't have smoke detectors. HAVFD gives them away for free."

After, Cam Mitchell got into the fire gear for the students so they could see what a firefighter would look like in an emergency, and PJ Burns talked to the kids about stranger danger and Halloween safety.

Dick Laffin said, "It's amazing what these kids have retained from this program. Most kids have been through this for many years, and have really learned a lot."

Jason ended the session with helmet safety and internet safety, and the kids enjoyed cookies and juice before heading out to see the brand new fire truck.

Jory Tarbell and Paul Sawatis showed the kids all the tools the department uses to help people in emergencies, and each kid got the chance to sit in the fire truck.

All the students received a bag with age appropriate information like pamphlets on drugs, carbon monoxide and fire safety, along with crayons and hats.

A special thank you to Bears Dean and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe for making Fire Prevention Week events possible.