PHOTO BY MARGARET THOMSEN The Gladbrook Firemen visited GMG Elementary in recognition of Fire Prevention Week. The kindergartners were instructed what to do if a fire alarm went off in their home. They practiced getting down low and doing a belly crawl to get out. They all learned that every family should have an escape plan and a designated meeting spot in case of fire. Several Moms told this reporter that their family has implemented a plan as a result of the firemen visit. Pictured with the GMG Kindergartners are Assistant Fire Chief Dan DeWitt, Firefighter Landon Read, Secretary/Treasurer Mark Lowry, Fire Chief Matt Koester and Lt. Craig Sash.

Members of the Gladbrook Fire Department volunteered their time to spend October 10 at the GMG Elementary teaching and informing the students about fire safety. The day was held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week October 7 to 12. Firemen attending included Fire Chief Matt Koester, Assistant Fire Chief Dan DeWitt, Secretary/Treasurer Mark Lowry, Lt. Craig Sash and Firefighter Landon Read.

The schedule is designed with a different activity for each grade level. The AM Preschool watched as the firemen demonstrated fire gear and the equipment they wear. The rain stopped and the Afternoon Preschool even got to go outside and get up on the truck and hear the siren and very loud horn.

The Kindergartners were instructed what to do if a fire alarm goes off in their home. They were also told the importance of having a designated family meeting place and practiced the belly crawl to stay below any heat and smoke.

The second graders were taught proper evacuation from home or school. And they learned the importance of an alternative escape route.

Third graders got to try on the firemen attire and race in a relay to see which group could dress the fastest. They learned first hand how heavy and cumbersome the gear is, but how important it is for the firemen s’ safety when on the job.

PHOTO BY MARGARET THOMSEN The GMG Afternoon Preschool is pictured with the big firetruck.They even got to crawl up on the big rig.

Fourth graders practiced first hand what to do in case there is a bus accident and what it is like to have the bus fill with smoke. The firemen used the smoke simulator to give the students an experience with smoke. They learned the various exits on the bus and how very important it is to listen carefully to instructions from the driver.

The sixth graders received hands on training in the use of a fire extinguisher. This included a live burn simulation with extinguishment.

The fifth graders rounded out the day using the water hoses from the truck to tip over a safety cone, shut off the water, set the cone back up and race back to tag next person in line. They learned that there is a lot of pressure in the hoses and it takes a lot of strength and concentration to use the water hose properly.

The firemen are to be commended for volunteering their time and bringing the fire truck and water tank for the students to view first hand. Feed back as to what the students learned and took home to share with family members has been impressive. The GMG Elementary students are very lucky to have this opportunity and an activity to look forward to each year. Fire Chief Matt Koester said this program is intended to give the students something to look forward to each year as the program covers something different for each grade..

The AM Preschool children are pictured as they learned all about the heavy clothing the firemen wear to protect themselves when fighting a fire. Dan DeWitt is pictured getting on his gear. He even showed the children his special flashlights that he wears.

The fourth grade classes learned what to do in case of a bus accident. They are shown practicing safe bus evacuation. The firemen played a little trick on the children when they reviewed how the evacuation went and if everyone got out. One student did not come out - much to the surprise of the children. Great learning experience!

Mark Lowry is pictured with a GMG Fifth grader who is using the water hose to try and knock down a cone. The activity divided the class into two teams and the goal was to aim the water to knock over the cone, shut of the water flow, run to set up the cone and rush back to tag the next in line. The children learned there is a lot of pressure and force in the hoses and they must be hung on to very securely to make sure no one gets hurt if they were to flip around unattended.