Firefighters teach fire prevention to students through song and dance

Photo By Cpl. Ashley Gomez | Bob Penrod, a fire inspector with Camp Lejeune Fire and Emergency Services, explains the different gear firefighters need to wear to protect themselves during a fire prevention training event at DeLalio Elementary School on Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Oct. 21, 2019. The event is held annually at schools and Child Development Centers on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River to promote education on fire safety. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ashley Gomez)  

MCAS NEW RIVER, NC, UNITED STATES

10.21.2019

Story by Cpl. Ashley Gomez 

Marine Corps Installations East       

Each year during the month of October, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s Fire and Emergency Services work to promote education on fire prevention at schools and Child Development Centers on MCB Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River.

The firefighters have taught this program on MCB Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River for over 10 years. They usually teach prevention to students through different songs and dances, but this year, puppets were added to their program.

“We teach people to practice fire prevention all the time, but we really try to hit it during fire prevention week which started on October 8,” said Bob Penrod, a fire inspector with Camp Lejeune Fire and Emergency Services.

The main points the firefighters teach the students are keeping the door closed while sleeping, knowing how to dial 911 in case of a fire, knowing to stop, drop and roll if clothing catches on fire and having a safety plan at home and at school.

“This event shares a lot of important information with the students and the way they learn it all, through the songs and dances which really help them retain that information,” said Wyonia Chevis, the principle at DeLalio Elementary School.

According to Penrod, the program was recently revamped to be more relevant to the students not only so they learn, but also so they bring the idea of having a fire safety plan home with them to their parents.

“The more information we can put out there the less opportunity we have for fires to happen,” Penrod said. “If we teach these kids the importance of fire prevention at a young age, just one child may be able to make a difference.”

• Date Taken: 10.21.2019
• Date Posted: 10.22.2019 18:42
• Story ID: 348694
• Location: MCAS NEW RIVER, NC, US