Fire Truck Day: Students learn about fire safety and prevention

a firefighter helps a pre-k student spray a fire hose as the classmates hold up the hose behind them outside of an elementary school — Fort Plain firefighter Dawson Nare, left, helps pre-k student Sterling VanAlstyne spray a fire hose, while his classmates hold it up. From the left are Nare, VanAlstyne, Dawson Dean, Carmella Calhoun, Aleena Crouse, Raylynn Jones, Tessa McFee, Julianna Delgado, Jackson Dolly, and Brantley Downes. Firefighter Trevor Brownell is in the back.

firefighter helps a pre-k student spray a fire hose outside of a school transportation building — Fort Plain Central School District school board member and firefighter Jeff Jones helps pre-k student Mieke Hallstein spray a fire hose.

Oct. 8 was an unofficial holiday for the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and Head Start classes at Harry Hoag Elementary School — Fire Truck Day!

It’s better known as Fire Prevention Day among the adults, but the students’ enthusiasm for the event takes over. Some of the young learners couldn’t help but press their noses to the classroom windows as they excitedly watched members of the Fort Plain Fire Department roll up in two engines.

“The trucks are big and the sirens are loud, but this event helps eliminate the fear factor some children might have,” Chief Bill Ehrenreich said.

The importance of having smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in the home was impressed upon the children. They were also urged to go home and talk to their parents about having a plan for an emergency, such as identifying a gathering spot in case they ever need to evacuate.

And, of course, they needed to have a little fun. Students got to spray a fire hose and ride in a truck.

Ehrenreich was joined by department President Joe Hanifin and firefighters Jeff Jones of the Fort Plain school board, Dawson Nare, Trevor Brownell and Bud Waner.

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