Valley Stream students stop, drop and learn

Ron Garofalo, coordinator of the Valley Stream Fire Department's school visits, talked to students about fire safety at the William L. Buck School.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Richard Skellington helped third-grader Katianna Pierre out of the back of the fire safety trailer.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Valley Stream Firefighter Ryan Mastrangelo, of Engine Company No. 2, introduced students to the back seat of a fire truck during a fire safety presentation on Oct. 23 at the William L. Buck School.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

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Children know that fire trucks are typically red, have lots of lights and sirens, and show up when there is an emergency. What they might not know, is all the equipment that is carried on board that is necessary to save lives and protect property.

Every October, for national Fire Prevention Month, Valley Stream firefighters visit the local schools to show children the intricacies of a fire truck and share some potentially life-saving tips. This is the 25th year the Fire Department has been hosting the program, which has been well-received by children and educators alike.

“We’re really excited to have the Valley Stream Fire Department with us for fire prevention,” said Mark Onorato, principal of the William L. Buck School, which was visited by firefighters on Oct. 23. Behind the school, children got to see a fire engine and an ambulance, and tour the department’s smokehouse.

Members of Engine Company No. 2, stationed at the nearby Brooklyn Avenue Firehouse, dressed up in their gear to show the children that firefighters are just regular people and are there to help in an emergency.

The smokehouse, which was purchased more than a decade ago through a grant from state Sen. Dean Skelos, is used to teach students how to react if there ever was a fire in their home. Students enter in the kitchen, where they learn about many potential dangers in the average house.

They then move on to the bedroom, where fake smoke fills the trailer. Children learn to feel the door to see if it is hot, then are helped out a back window by a firefighter.

Jackson Morton, a third grader whose father is a firefighter, said he already knew a lot of safety tips but gained some more knowledge from the presentation. He said that once someone escapes a burning home, they should never go back inside. “You could get hurt,” he said, “and maybe the fire is already too big.”

Classmate Savanah Gourgue said if there is smoke, she should stay on the floor and crawl to safety. “The good air is at the bottom,” she said.