Wiscasset Fire Department Visits Wiscasset Elementary School for Fire Prevention Assembly

Students at Wiscasset Elementary School had a special visit this morning as members of the Wiscasset Fire Department came to school for a school-wide assembly on fire safety.

Chief Rob Bickford spoke with the students about fire prevention and what to do in an emergency. He reminded the children that if they ever find matches or a lighter, they should never touch them and should tell an adult right away. He also stressed that fire is not something to play with, ever.

Chief Bickford urged students to memorize their home addresses so they can give them to a 911 operator in an emergency. He also taught the students how to get out safely by crawling low under the smoke, because smoke rises, and he reminded them of the importance of "stop, drop, and roll" if their clothes ever catch fire.

The assembly was exciting when Sparky the Fire Dog made a surprise entrance, much to the students' delight. Firefighters in full gear, including masks, also joined the assembly to demonstrate how to crawl to safety. Seeing a firefighter in full gear can be a little startling for young children, so the demonstration helped show students that firefighters are there to help them. The firefighters arrived at school in the department's new big red fire truck, which was a highlight for many of the students.

Chief Bickford also reminded everyone that the Wiscasset Fire Department is hosting an open house tonight, Oct. 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the fire station. The evening will include demonstrations, fire truck tours, and refreshments. Everyone is invited, so bring the whole family!

October is National Fire Prevention Month, and it's a great time to talk about fire safety at home. Families are encouraged to review their escape plans and make sure children know their address and how to call 911.

Thank you to our local volunteer firefighters for keeping our community safe. A special thank you to those who visited the school this morning: Devon Grover, Matthew Smith, Chris Cossette, Chief Rob Bickford, and Steven Smith.