A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Helpers at the station during Fire Prevention Education. Back L-R: Cameron Mitchell, Jason McDonald, Charlie Jacobs, Frank Lacerenza and PJ Burns. Front L-R: Richard Phillips, Dick Laffin and Dennis Phillips.
Jason McDonald's boss, John Waters - GM of Adirondack Powersports, has been allowing Jason time off work to take part in this very valuable annual undertaking by the firemen each year to the St. Regis Mohawk School Students. A plaque was awarded to him by the HAVFD.
Jason McDonald and Dick Laffin team teach for Fire Prevention. They are explaining the sounds of alarms.
Dick Laffin explains and shows children what a fully dressed fireman looks like. Captain Cameron Mitchell is fully dressed.
Jason McDonald and Dick Laffin presented a plaque to Eli Tarbell, Tarbell Management Group, in front of the Fire Truck with Ms. King's Kindergarten class.
The HAVFD Station 3 held their fire prevention night with participants putting out fires that often start within the home. Using a fire extinguisher simulator indoors, Helen Lazore tackles a fire. Photo submitted by Teneya Mitchell.
If the fire extinguisher simulator went well indoors at HAVFD Station 3, you could try putting out a real, controlled fire outdoors. Photo submitted by Teneya Mitchell.
It was the morning of October 17th and the sounds of little feet entered the halls of HAVFD Station #1. St. Regis Mohawk School Kindergarten classes with teachers Mrs. Jock and Ms. King were with them to learn all about fire safety and stranger danger.
Their speakers were Jason McDonald, Dick Laffin and Cameron Mitchell as well as many other helpers that you will see in a photo with this story.
They opened the session by showing a short video with questions to follow about fires. Next, the men demonstrated what a fire alarm sounds like as well as a carbon monoxide detector. They taught the children how important these two gadgets are and to know the differences of how they sound. It is also important to let their parents know there should be alarms on each level of the house and that they are always working.
The video showed the children to have an escape plan with their families in case of a fire at anytime. If a fire happens, they should stay low to the floor and get to a door and run to a neighbor for a phone to call 911. Families should really practice this with their children.
Captain Cameron Mitchell demonstrated what a fireman has to wear for his safety at all fires. A fireman should be able to dress in his fireproof outfit in less than two minutes. Cameron then walked into the crowd and gave the children high fives. Dick Laffin also showed the students some gear that had caught fire such as a hat and jacket.
The men went on to speak about Stranger Danger. "Do not ever go with anyone who is acting real nice to you and you don't know them." Sometimes that bad person might use a stuffed animal or a real puppy or kitten.
PJ Burns was on hand to talk to children about strangers and drugs. Stay with your parents at all times when shopping. Do not take anything from strangers. Halloween is coming, you should have your parents check your treat bags before eating anything. Each of the students were given a Halloween bag with reflectors on it.
After the presentation, the children were treated to refreshments of cookies and juice. The first group had Richard Phillips as their server and the second group had Charlie Jacobs and Tom Francis.
Before the kindergarten classes left, they were asked to gather near the huge truck for a presentation of a plaque of thanks to Eli Tarbell. Eli has contributed to the fire department annually and very generously. Other donors are the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council with their generous donation annually.
Jason McDonald would like to also thank his boss for allowing him to take part in this worthwhile event each year. John Waters is also a contributor in that way. Thank you all for helping to get this valuable message of prevention out there.
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