Photo Information

Susan Belt, a fire inspector with the Miramar Fire Department tells preschool children not to be afraid of firefighters in full gear during a fire safety class aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Oct. 14. Firefighters showed the kids what a smoke alarm is, how to move through smoke and how to stop, drop and roll.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Thorn

Firefighters teach kids about fire safety

22 Oct 2014 | Cpl. Michael Thorn Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Members of the Miramar Fire Department finished Fire Prevention Week by teaching fire safety aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Oct. 14.

The classes taught were for none other than the children of service members at the air station’s Child Development Center. They taught five classes, which reached about 130 preschool children.

“This was a great interesting opportunity for the kids here,” said Chesna Ortega, Child Development Center preschool teacher. “We loved how interactive the fire fighters were with the children.”

Classes included what a smoke alarm is, how to get out of smoke and how to stop, drop and roll.

“These types of classes aren’t just limited to Fire Prevention Week, they are held throughout the year,” said Susan Belt, fire inspector with the Miramar Fire Department. “They help in teaching them to be cautious and aware of fires at home.”

Each class saw what a fire fighter in full gear and a fire truck looked like at the end of the lesson.

“We reach out to these kids at a young age while we can,” said Bryan Elder, an acting captain with Miramar Fire Department. “If they learn how to deal with fires at home now, they will develop good habits for a lifetime.”


Marine Corps Air Station Miramar