Sparky the Fire Dog waves to children at the Child Development Center during a visit from the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, April 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The firemen educated children and adults about the fire department and fire safety during the community day visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jack Sanders)
Kevin Smith, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron fire fighter, shows children the many features on a fire truck at the Child Development Center, April 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The firemen educated children and adults about the fire department and fire safety during the community day visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jack Sanders)
Sparky the Fire Dog entertains children at the Child Development Center during a visit from the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, April 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Sparky the Fire Dog has been the official mascot of the National Fire Protection Association since 1951. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jack Sanders)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jake Cuevas, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection journeyman, and Sparky the Fire Dog educate children about fire safety at the Child Development Center, April 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. While discussing fire safety, firemen from the 99th CES fire department led a tour of a fire truck. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jack Sanders)
Children attending the Child Development Center discover the inside of a fire truck, April 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The 99th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department gave the children a tour of the truck while teaching fire safety lessons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jack Sanders)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jake Cuevas, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection journeyman, helps children don their replica fire hats at the Child Development Center, April 10, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Children learned about fire safety, fire drills, calling 911 and other emergency procedures during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jack Sanders)
by Staff Sgt. Will Coleman
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
4/17/2012 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Firefighters from the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron made a visit to the Child Development Center, April 12, 2012, to educate children and parents about the importance of fire safety.
As part of the Month of the Military Child and the CDC's community day, a fire truck, firefighters and Sparky the Fire Dog all arrived to greet children in the parking lot of the CDC.
After receiving a replica fire hat, the children gathered around a fire engine and were encouraged to climb inside the cab. While waiting their turn to get in the fire truck, they mingled with Sparky. They learned how a fire truck operates and how it puts out fires.
The lesson of the day was fire safety, and the team had information to share with everyone.
The firefighters briefed the children on fire drills and why they must be practiced every month. Children were reminded how to stay safe in the event of a fire and what to do if they saw smoke. They also learned what to do if an adult is injured, when to call 911 and how to smother a fire in clothing using stop, drop and roll.
Staff Sgt. Scott Edgmond, NCO in charge of public education and fire prevention, said the CDC visit was not just for the kids.
"It's one of the best ways to teach the parents as well as the children," he said.
Edgmond said the topic of disaster and injury must be handled delicately when speaking to children. By having the firefighters come to the CDC, the children's learning was enhanced since they felt comfortable in the familiar environment.
The fire fighters, along with Sparky, emphasized staying safe and showed how the fire department works to save people from fires.
The children got to see a firefighter wearing the equipment used when entering a burning building. Getting familiar with what a firefighter looks like with the mask, suit, gloves and possibly an axe in hand is important.
"If there is an emergency, we show up on scene with all the gear; it can be pretty intimidating," Edgmond said. "If they see what we look like in our gear, it helps them know who we are so they will not be scared and hide from us."
To get children even more familiar with the fire safety, fire fighters invited the CDC and students attending Lomie Heard Elementary School to tour the 99th CES fire department. The tours show how the fire fighters train and explain how the dispatch center operates.
"We are customer service based. Whether going to an emergency or answering questions about fire prevention, we like to get out there and be seen," Edgmond said.
For more information on fire prevention, contact the 99th CES fire department at 702-652-9630.
