from reading to the students . With their iPhones , firefighters recorded videos of themselves reading various books for the children . Sgt . Justin Ames ( Ames ) explained the firefighters always enjoy interacting with the school children , even when it has to be through a video .
Any JFD firefighters are asked to come to the schools , they try to include fire safety training . They want the children to see what they look like in their uniforms , and they sometimes bring full gear . This is done to teach students to not be afraid if firefighters have to enter their homes and to not hide .
“ We do things like teach them how to crawl toward us and how they should get out of the home instead of hiding , which is often what children will do when they are afraid ,”
Ames said . “ The more they know about fire safety means more lives can be saved .”
Teaching children fire safety is a primary objective for Fire Chief Shawn Grant . In the past , there was a “ Survive Alive ” house that was used to teach young children how to respond in a house fire . However , after moving to the new fire headquarters , the house has not been rebuilt .
Grant has a short-term objective to create a mobile “ Survive Alive ” house for firefighters to take to the schools . He said , “ Right now , protecting our children is heavy on my mind . We want to do more to ensure our children know what to do when confronted with a fire . We can do more . We want them safe .”
As time permits , the JFD will come to local schools to read , give a fire safety presentation , or just to meet the students . School administrators can call the JFD to set up an appointment . 812-283-6633 .
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS For several years , the JFD have been joining hands with the Jeffersonville Police Department and the Jeffersonville Neighborhood Leadership Alliance in a National Night Out program . The program is typically held the first Tuesday in August .
Residents across America , including Jeffersonville , not only get to meet Jeffersonville police officers and firefighters , but they also have the opportunity to get to know others who live in their community .
Paid for by Rita Fleming
Jeffersonville Fire Department / 150 years 55