Glenn Duffy students observe Fire Safety Week

Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Firefighter/paramedic Jenni Bohannon points out some of the features on one of Gravette Fire Department's firetrucks during a Fire Safety Week event Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Glenn Duffy Elementary School. The pre-kindergarten students were very interested in learning about the truck's firefighting equipment and how it worked.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Firefighter/paramedic Jenni Bohannon points out some of the features on one of Gravette Fire Department's firetrucks during a Fire Safety Week event Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Glenn Duffy Elementary School. The pre-kindergarten students were very interested in learning about the truck's firefighting equipment and how it worked.

GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette Fire Department visited students at Glenn Duffy Elementary School Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week in observance of National Fire Safety/Fire Prevention Week.

October is National Fire Prevention Month and Oct. 6-12 was Fire Prevention Week. The goal is to raise awareness about fire safety and help ensure homes and families are prepared in the event of an emergency.

Gravette firefighters have been using this opportunity to educate youngsters about their work for the last several years. They took one of their firetrucks and the department's fire department training trailer, or "smokehouse," to the school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Students in pre-kindergarten through second grade were able to look over the firetrucks and learn about the equipment and each fireman's gear and how it is used. Inside the smokehouse firefighters talked to the students about fire safety at home and gave tips about how to prevent fires and how to react in the event of a fire.

In 1922, the National Fire Protection Association named the second week of October Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Today Fire Prevention Week and Month are celebrated across the United States by raising fire safety awareness and educating families, students and communities. During the month, fire departments educate their communities and encourage parents and loved ones to practice fire safety and whole-home safety.

Community on 10/16/2019