was created especially for

Michael Jeremy Smith

at the age of 8

With love from

Mom and Dad

November 9, 2004

 Page 3

Mike Smith was so excited, he could hardly wait to see the

firefighters and fire engines. Mike and his class from Beaumont Elementary

School are visiting the Fort Wayne Fire Station today.

"Now class," said Miss Harold, "I know you're excited, but remember to

pay close attention. Fire prevention and fire safety are very important.

If you are ever in a fire, they could help save your life."

Page 4

Mike couldn't believe his eyes. Firefighter Brad and Chief Maddox came

to greet the children at the door! "Welcome to the Fort Wayne Fire

Station, boys and girls," said Firefighter Brad. "We have a lot of

exciting things to show you and I'm going to teach you some ways to stay

safe when it comes to fire."

Page 7

Firefighter Brad brought the class to see the many different fire trucks.

"Wow, this is great!" said Mike as he gazed at all the different fire

engines. There were old ones, new ones, red ones, and yellow ones. There

was even a fire truck from the 1920's that was part of their museum.

"Wayne, Look!" said Mike. "This fire truck is called a hook-and-ladder

truck. Firefighters use this one when fighting fires in tall buildings."

Page 8

Mike carefully watched as Firefighter Brad showed the class the

inside of a real fire engine. "Mike, would you and Wayne like to be first to

sit inside?" With big smiles, they jumped inside the cab and pretended they were

real firefighters, steering the big engine down the street.

Page 11

Next, everyone followed Firefighter Brad to the room with the

coats, hats, boots and special pants just for firefighters.

"Mike, would you be my helper and try on my coat and hat?" asked

Firefighter Brad. Mike couldn't believe his luck. "Yes, sir!"

Page 12

As Firefighter Brad helped Mike put on the coat and hat, he said to the

class, "Our clothes are made of special material that won't burn, but,

unfortunately, your clothes will." "You should NEVER run if your

clothes catch on fire. Instead, STOP where you are, DROP to the ground,

cover your face, and ROLL around until the fire goes out."

"Does anyone remember what we call this?" The class was so sure of the

answer that everyone said at the same time, "STOP, DROP AND ROLL!"

Page 15

After that, Firefighter Brad pulled out a box of matches and a

lighter, and said, "Boys and girls, you should NEVER play with matches or fire,

EVER! You could start a fire by accident."

"Who knows what you should do if you find matches or lighters?" Mike

spoke up and asked, "Should we give them to our parents?"

"That's right Mike, you should give them to an adult right away and

say, "Firefighter Brad said to keep these away from children!"

Page 16

Then Firefighter Brad said, "Some objects such as clothing and paper

catch fire very easily. So don't play near gas or electric heaters, stoves or

fire places." "What is this?" Mike asked. Firefighter Brad answered, "This

is a smoke detector. If a fire starts while you are asleep, the smoke

detector will sound an alarm and wake you up so that you can get out safely

and call 911. Everyone should have a smoke detector in the family room and

each bedroom."

Page 19

The class followed Firefighter Brad upstairs to the sleeping area.

"This is where we sleep when we're on duty. Do you know what this pole is

for, Mike?" Mike smiled and said, "Yes, sir! If the fire alarm goes off during the

night, you can slide down to the room with the coats!"

"That's right, Mike. It also gives us another way out of the room.

You should know at least two ways out of every room in case fire is blocking

the door. If a door is hot, leave through a window or another door."

Page 20

Mike raised his hand and said, "I would like to know what to do if I see

a lot of smoke, but no fire?" Firefighter Brad said, "Fire and

smoke spread very fast and smoke is a dangerous part of fire and breathing

smoke makes people sick." "You should NEVER hide, always

crawl low under the smoke and get out quickly. The air is not as smoky near

the floor. We teach everyone to 'Get Out, and Stay Out!', NEVER go back

inside a burning house or building."

Page 23

Mike's best friend, Wayne asked, "What if you live in an apartment

building?" Firefighter Brad said, "You ask very good questions, Wayne!"

"Two-story buildings should have signs that say 'Exit' or 'Stairs.'

Here I have a special rope ladder with hooks that fasten onto your window so

that you can climb out if your building is on fire." "Mike, your parents can get

you one to keep under your bed in case of emergencies."

Page 24

Next, the class followed Firefighter Brad to the kitchen.

"Wow! You guys like to cook?" asked Mike. "We sure do! We practice fire

safety, too!" "Kitchens have hot stoves that can hurt you. Never play with the

 knobs on the stove. Remember to use cooking mitts so you won't burn your

 hands." "Do you see this? This is a fire extinguisher. If someone accidentally

 starts a fire while cooking, we can put it out right away."

Page 27

Firefighter Brad brought the class to the dispatch room. "How many

of you know how to call 911?" Mike and Wayne raised their hands

at the same time. They smiled at each other and said, "9-1-1!"

Firefighter Brad laughed and agreed, "Yes, that's right. You dial

'911.' When someone has an emergency or a fire, you dial '911' and the call

rings the dispatcher. The dispatcher then calls the fire department, the

police station or an ambulance."

Page 28

Firefighter Brad then asked the class a question. "Who knows what a

Fire Escape Plan is?" Mike raised his hand and said, "Is it like a fire drill?"

"Yes, Mike, it is. You and your family should plan an escape route from

your home. Remember to find two ways to leave each room and choose a place

for your family to meet outside." "Practicing your escape route will

help you know where to go during a fire. But remember, you must NEVER go

back into a burning house!"

Page 31

Firefighter Brad then asked the class, "Does everyone know their

telephone number and street address?" Mike and Wayne raised their hands

right away. Firefighter Brad then said, "Ask your parents to help you

learn your telephone number and your street address if you don't know them.

This is very important to know in case you ever need to call 911."

Telephone Number _ _ _-_ _ _-_ _ _ _

Street Address _______________________________

Page 32

Finally, it was time to go home. Chief Maddox handed each boy and girl a

book and said, "I want you to read this special book to your whole family. It

will help teach them the important fire prevention and fire safety facts that

you learned today. Then I want you to ask your parents to help plan a fire

escape route. Can you do that?" "Yes, sir!," chimed Mike and Wayne.

They each thanked Chief Maddox and Firefighter Brad for the book and for

letting them visit the fire station. Everyone waved good-bye.

Page 35

Important Things to Remember

In an emergency call: 911

Fire Department

_____________________

Police Department

_____________________

Relative's Phone

_____________________

Who do I call in case of emergency?

______________________________

36