Click here for the original article at the Collinsville Herald

Programs relay prevention tactics

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / journal Collinsville firefighter Matt Sienkiewicz talks to a third-grade class at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School Tuesday morning about the dangers of smoke inhalation. The department has several outreach programs to educate residents about preventing fires and avoiding danger.

Third-grader Nick Suria recently used a homework assignment to prod his family into creating an emergency meeting place in their home in case a fire unexpectedly breaks out. Meanwhile, his classmate, Deborah Karlak, now knows that a correctly operating smoke detector is even more effective in saving lives than an actual firefighter.

"The most dangerous thing in a house fire that can kill you is smoke," she said on Tuesday morning.

The two students at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School have participated the last few weeks in "Get Fired Up," a Collinsville Fire Department program.

Firefighter Matt Sienkiewicz said the department tries to visit every third-grade classroom in the city, whether public or private school.

"We try to shy away from how 'cool' firefighters are, or how 'cool' the big fire truck is," he said. "Instead, our focus is on what these kids need to do if a fire does happen in their home."

Most of the subjects discussed during the six-week course focus on one principle: get outside and get safe.

Out of all the lessons they learn, Sienkiewicz said, the kids are most surprised to find that, unlike what they may see on television, flames aren't what causes the most deaths.

"The smoke can kill you without you knowing it," he said. "You can be killed in a house fire and never be burned. That's why it's important to have working smoke detectors."

To reach the adults, "Get Fired Up" has several homework lessons designed for completion at home that require parental involvement.

Third-grade teacher Sharon Laswell said she felt the course has been effective, especially by giving the kids stories about fires that have occurred in houses and apartments right in their very own hometown.

"It helps them relate better," she said. "I think it's a pretty awesome program and the kids really enjoy it."

The department's grade school outreach has been running "off and on" since 1987 and at one time was heavily dependent on sufficient funds being available in the budget, Sienkiewicz said. But when Chief Peter Stehman took over in 2007, he made it mandatory.

"The two groups most affected by fires are seniors and children," Stehman said. "We want to make sure we are directing our focus towards those at-risk groups."

Stehman said that children generally have a lower ability to react appropriately in an emergency situation.

"There can be some natural curiosity children have toward fire," he said. "We want to address that and show the danger toward that. Hopefully they come out with the mind-set to alert their parents to get out of the house."

Other prevention programs

- Leave 'Em Safe

Dedicated to ensuring no Collinsville family goes without working smoke detectors. During any non-emergency call, firefighters will offer to check if detectors operating and change the batteries. Free detectors can also be picked up at the station.

- Remembering When

Focuses on elderly people, highlighting safety concerns about fire and falling. Information is generally made available at senior centers and health fairs.