Students learn real-life safety skills
Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other local first responders with Jackson County Fire & Life Safety visited eight Jackson County schools, public and private, over a two-week period, helping young students understand the importance of fire safety and how to make good choices.
It was all part of Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5 -11, to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which began on Oct. 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage.
Capt. Brandon Green, president of Jackson County Fire & Life Safety and firefighter with Savannah Fire Department, says he loves visiting with the students to promote fire prevention. And when he comes to a school, he brings a team.
It ís a combination of everyone throughout the county, so when you think emergency services, not only are you thinking fire department and EMS, you're thinking rescue, you're thinking sheriff's department, you're thinking U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, we've got a little bit of everybody here, said Green. Also, we have our Jackson County Emergency Management team.
Rayna Crisp, principal of Blue Ridge School, highlights the importance of students getting to know firefighters and law enforcement officers.
This gives them that sense of safety to ensure that in any crisis situation they feel comfortable, said Crisp. Also, when they see people out in public - it ís like having our SRO on campus - we don't want people to be afraid of law enforcement, we want them to know the good that they do in our community.
Deputy Dylan Cabe, school resource officer for Blue Ridge School and Blue Ridge Early College and deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, says keeping students safe is his top priority, and the relationship between law enforcement and fire departments is critical for that success.
We just absolutely love our fire department, said Cabe. They help keep our kids safe. The fire department up here does a great job interacting with the kids, and we're so thankful for them and everything that they do.
During the visit, the students learned various skills and tools that firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and rescue teams use to keep them safe. They entered a smoke house to simulate a fire inside a house and how they can quickly and safely exit. The students also learned how to properly use a fire extinguisher in a time of emergency. First responders were able to serve the students lunch, and firefighters and Sparky the Fire Dog visited the students in their classrooms.
It is just wonderful the knowledge and skills that they are gaining today for what to do is so important, even for our smallest kiddos who might panic in a true situation,î said Principal Crisp.
ìMy main goal is to keep these students safe said SRO Cabe. Every day I get up, put this uniform on and know that something bad may occur at this school, and I'm ready to protect these kids with my entire life. I would do anything for these kids, these kids are my world.
From learning about smoke alarms, how to Stop, Drop, and Roll, to seeing up close what a fully dressed firefighter looks like with their Darth Vadar breathing, the students came away with a better understanding of fire and life safety. It also does something for the first responders.
I love coming out and being a part of the community and helping our youngsters and our adults throughout the community, said Capt. Green. I've been devoted to this for 28 years now and look to continue to do it for the rest of my life.
The first responder teams that visited Blue Ridge School were from Jackson County Emergency Management, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Glenville Cashiers Rescue Squad, Cashiers Glenville Volunteer Fire Department, Savannah Volunteer Fire Department, Qualla Fire Department, NC Forest Service, and others.
In total, Jackson County Fire & Life Safety teams visited eight schools from Sept. 30 to Oct. 9: five in Jackson County Public Schools, to include Smokey Mountain Elementary School, Fairview School, Blue Ridge School, Scotts Creek School, and Cullowhee Valley School; and three private or charter schools, to include Heritage Christian Academy, Summit Charter School, and Victory Christian School.
To learn more about Jackson County Fire & Life Safety, visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100057433450065.