News : Shellsburg FD members continue decades-old tradition of Fire Safety Week education at elementary school

Firefighter Daniel Charlier demonstrates to Shellsburg students how a firefighter appears when he enters a room. Every time a firefighters steps into a classroom during the second week of October, he is remembering one of America's most historic fires. During the Fire Prevention Week lessons at Shellsburg Elementary on Monday, 37-year Shellsburg Fire Department veteran Jim Mott told the students how President Woodrow Wilson signed the first Fire Safety Day Proclamation in 1920, 49 years after the Great Chicago Fire that killed more than 250 people on Oct. 8, 1971. That proclamation soon led to the annual Fire Safety Week, which many fire departments throughout the country observe by sharing fire prevention tips and fire safety guidelines to students in elementary schools. In Shellsburg, the firefighters visited classrooms of grades 1-4, before giving Kindergarten students a ride around town and a tour of the fire station. Along with Mott, Chief Dave Charlier and his son, Daniel, provided a variety of lessons. The lessons are first taught to Kindergarten students, then reinforced each year. At one point, Mott said to a second-grader, "You remembered what we taught you last year."� "And in Kindergarten,"� replied the student. The lessons include many phrases heard often during this week: "9-1-1."� "Stop, drop and roll."� "Get low and get out."� Shellsburg students also saw a demonstration of the thermal imaging camera the department uses to detect heat or fires inside walls. The firemen showed the students how even moments after the fireman moves his hand from the white board, the camera can still detect heat. The visit by the three members of the SFD is also a reminder that Fire Prevention Week is a long tradition in Shellsburg, as in many other schools. About 25 years ago, a young girl named Kelsey was among the Kindergarten students climbing on the fire truck for the traditional ride. This year, Kelsey - now known as Mrs. Fish by her Kindergarten students - again rode a truck, standing with another educator and taking photos of the students. A few years after that, Dave Charlier visited the schools, and one of the young men he spoke to was his son Daniel, who is now a member of the SFD. The years of education is helping, Mott said. He told the students that Shellsburg averages about 25 fires per year - about half of what the city experienced when he started. Fire safety education, and children taking safety lessons home to parents, is a big factor in that decrease, Mott said. In Shellsburg, the firemen donate smoke detectors to all third-grade students, and provide batteries for all fourth-graders for the detectors they received a year earlier. Annual Breakfast set for Oct. 16 Mott also reminded students that the SFD relies on its annual Firemen's Breakfast to help cover the expenses of equipment. A firefighter's heat-resistant suit, helmet and gloves, along with his air pack represents approximately $8,000 to $9,000 and that heat-resistant camera cost $10,000, Mott said. The breakfast takes place Sunday, Oct. 16, from 7 to noon. Everyone is invited. See more photos HERE. See more information about the history of National Fire Prevention Week HERE.