S.A.F.E Program
Swampscott Firefighters Participate in the National S.A.F.E Program
Firefighter Thomas Chadwell shows kids attending the department's Open House how to use a hand line
Lieutenant Remo Zimbaldi considers this year's SAFE (Student Awareness of Fire Education) Open House a success! After hosting over 250 students, over three days, firefighters felt good about the level of hands-on education they were able to provide so many children, teachers, and parents.
Children we reminded of essential basics such as: not to play with matches or other sources of ignition, that if they saw a fire to get out of the house by crawling on their knees (where smoke is least dense) and to dial 9-1-1, and not to fear a firefighter in gear.
All youngsters (and even some teachers and parents) got to experience the smoke trailer, and to learn how to exit a smoky building safely and quickly.
Children got to see how firefighters put on their bunker gear and air-tank, all of which can weigh up to 85 pounds (more than the average student attending the Open House)
Kids patiently awaited their turn in the smoke trailer, and cheered when their classmates came out.
Firefighter Glen Bartrum gave kids the tour of the engine, all of
its equipment and components. Most popular was to get to sit inside
the cab of the vehicle.
After they got a tour of both the smoke trailer and the engine, a demonstration on firefighter's gear, and a chance to hold the nozzle of a hose, the children completed their day of firehouse fun by enjoying a slice of pizza donated by Papa Gino's, and/or a cookie and some juice.