Officials deliver fire safety message to schools | News, sports, jobs

Noah Johnson Daily Press Escanaba Public Safety officers show a student and teacher a device from the truck.

ESCANABA – The Escanaba Department of Public Safety spent the month of October educating the community and school children about fire safety as part of Fire Awareness and Prevention Month.

The department visited several schools throughout the month, culminating with a visit to the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD) Learning Center in Escanaba.

“Today it’s more of a PR event. (We) come out and show the kids the fire trucks, the police car and the canine officer,” said Escanaba Public Safety Officer Ryan Peterson.

The lessons were held in groups and you could talk to Peterson and Officer Aaron Young about the equipment and how it works.

“They are having a lot of fun. Everyone, all these kids, are excited when they see the truck and the dog. They really have a good time and that means a lot to them. I just like seeing the smiles on their faces more than anything,” Peterson said.

Students lit themselves on fire when they saw the truck and Young and Peterson, some even running up to hug the two.

Young showed students various pieces of equipment on the truck, such as the water pump, the large fan used to put out fires and more.

Peterson explained the different levers on the truck and walked them around the vehicle.

Young also brought along Escanaba Public Safety’s newest member, K-9 Enzo. Enzo and Young demonstrated some basic commands before allowing students to pet him.

Code Enforcement is providing free smoke detectors as part of Fire Awareness Month. Fire and Rent Inspector Jude VanDamme said they will continue to distribute them after October while supplies last.

“We have them available to the community and would like to see them in everyone’s homes,” he said.

“It’s a cost-effective device that can save lives.”

Contact Code Enforcement at 906-786-6121 to schedule an appointment for a smoke alarm while supplies last.

Public Safety referred SafeHome.org for fire safety tips.

According to the website, clothes dryers, smoking, flammable liquids, portable space heaters, stoves, fireplaces and more are common causes of home fires.

The good news is that there are preventative measures, such as installing a smoke detector.

Residents are advised to install detectors throughout the home, in each sleeping area and outside each sleeping area. The detectors should be tested once a month to ensure they are working. The batteries should be replaced once a year and the detector every 10 years.

SafeHome also recommends installing fire extinguishers, educating children about the risk of fire, creating an escape plan, and creating a family or household communication plan.

The entire guide can be found at www.safehome.org/resources/fire-prevention-guide.