Colvill volunteer firefighter Bob Morrisson helps Elsa Gerry spray water at a recent demonstration of firefighting procedures and techniques that was given to Great Expectation School. All of the children got a chance to spray water, and all did a tremendous job!
Volunteer firefighters and First Responders from local fire departments visited local schools last week during Fire Prevention Week.
Members of the Colvill and Grand Marais Fire Departments took time off from their busy schedules last Thursday to go to Sawtooth Elementary and Great Expectations schools in Grand Marais to talk to the kids about fire safety and to demonstrate some of their equipment.
In Tofte, members of the Tofte Fire Department and Rescue Squad visited Birch Grove Community School.
As the kids gathered around the Colvill fire truck in Grand Marais, firefighter Kim Linnell, dressed in his fire fighting gear, told the kids that there were nine fire departments in the county and that all of them had similar fire trucks that, “pretty much do the same things.”
Next Linnell showed the kids the tanks, hoses, ladders, cubbyholes, pressure gauges and other items used to fight fires.
When asked about the foam containers, Linnell said, “Foam doesn’t last long but works well to put out a fire. It’s expensive though. So we have to use it carefully.”
Above: Firefighters and Rescue Squad members visited the Birch Grove Community School. Mark Hutchins and Lester Smith demonstrated a “rescue” of Katie Peck.
A quick tour in the trucks revealed enough space to carry six firefighters. Linnell also demonstrated a hose mounted on top of the truck that could spray water at a height that could put out a fire in the second—or third— story of a building.
The demonstration ended with all of the children getting to spray water with the help of Grand Marais firefighter Bob Morrison. Big smiles were the order of the day as the water flew with great force through the air.
Thescene was the same at Birch Grove as Tofte firefighters talked about fire prevention and gave Birch Grove students the chance to try on turnout gear and spray the firehose. “Thekids love to do that,” said Rescue Squad Chief Louise Trachta. Rescue squad personnel Mark Hutchins and Lester Smith demonstrated a “rescue.”
Left: Gus Hahn was all smiles as he finished his tour of the Colville fire truck. Volunteer firefighters Kim Linnell and Bob Morrisson led the kids through the tour and presented the kids with lots of information about what to do in case there is a fire.
Last but not least all of the kids received instruction about what to do in case of a fire, and how to set up a plan to follow in case of such an event occurring. One thing they learned, the volunteer fire fighters are well trained and ready to come and help when needed.
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