Potomac Superheroes Present Fire Safety

POTOMAC - October is Fire Safety Month. A group of four Greenough/Potomac Volunteer Fire Department (GPVFD) volunteers spoke to Sunset and Potomac Schools Oct.19.

The group from the GPVFD included Chief Ryan Hall, Assistant Chief Justin Iverson and volunteers Tim Nesmith and Justin Kennedy. More than 90 kindergarten through eighth-grade students and staff watched the presentation which began in the Potomac/Greenough Community Center (PGCC) and then moved outdoors.

After introducing the GPVFD volunteers, Hall spoke about safety. "What do you do if you are on fire?" Hall asked the students. They shouted out to stop, drop and roll.

Never playing with fire, matches or woodstoves was discussed as well as how to put out a cooking stove fire.

The students were also asked what they should do if they hear the smoke alarm go off in their homes. Chief Hall told the group about feeling their bedroom doors for heat, what to do if they smell smoke and how to get out of the building.

"Crawl down low," Hall said. "Smoke and heat rises."

Chief Hall also told the students that each family should have a safe prearranged meeting place outside.

Other information provided to the schools included changing home smoke alarm batteries every six months and replacing smoke alarms every 10 years. Chief Hall explained to the students how 911 is only for emergencies involving life or property, and not for pranks or questions.

Most students raised their hands when asked if they knew their street address. That can be important for the GPVFD or policemen, Chief Hall explained.

After a brief question and answer time the change began for Nesmith and Iverson from everyday people into firefighters. Nesmith and Iverson showed the students how people do look different and sometimes scary when they don their firefighter gear.

The students filed down from the bleachers and formed lines. Iverson and Nesmith demonstrated how it sounds to breath through a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Chief Hall explained how important it is for the children to see how firemen are regular people under their gear.

"If we come into your house looking like this, don't hide in a closet or under a bed," Hall said. "It is just us and we are there to help you so don't be afraid."

At times, Iverson and Nesmith took off their masks to show the kids their faces and walked up and down the lines giving high fives and waving to make the students comfortable.

Kennedy explained about their gear. He showed the students what the gear felt like and students took turns wearing his GPVFD coat and lifting up his boots and pants to see how heavy they were.

Outside the GPVFD had a Quick Response Unit truck (QRU) and Engine number 931, complete with lights and ladders working to show the group.

The Jaws of Life and other equipment such as backboards were explained and the students had the opportunity to look though the thermal imaging camera. "White is hot," explained Chief Hall. He had the students look through the camera at the engine's running motor while he explained how the camera can see through smoke.

The students and staff thanked the GPVFD who gave their time to help the children understand how important fire safety is, what to do if there is a fire and not to be scared of how firefighters look in their gear, because they are everyday superheroes and that is their costume.