John Oxford
MOULTRIE — You might say the Moultrie Fire Department clowns around when it comes to fire prevention.
But the face-painted firemen with the flashy programs get their message across to children just the same.
The MFD Clown Program was one of five presentations made at Cox Elementary School Thursday and Stringfellow Elementary Friday as part of National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8-12. This year’s theme was “It’s Fire Prevention Week — Practice Your Escape Plan,” according to fire department Capt. Lavon Cooper, the city’s fire marshal.
Each grade level had a specific presentation to teach children about fire safety and fire prevention.
The pre-kindergarten through first grade classes were taught and entertained by the MFD Clown program, Cooper said. The second graders learned from Flashy, the robotic fire dog, while the third grade class learned home escape routes using the Fire Safety House and toured an MFD truck.
The fourth grade class got to see Georgia Power’s Powertown demonstration, which Cooper said is a partnership between the fire department and Georgia Power. Both organizations work together to teach fire safety in the schools, and Powertown allows the children to see the dangers of electricity first-hand.
Cooper said the fifth grade class saw a video presentation and a discussion about Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH). EDITH was discussed in all presentations to help teach everyone the week’s theme.
“In case of a fire emergency,” Cooper said, “EDITH teaches you how to get out of a home quickly and safely.”
Students at county elementary schools will have the chance to learn about fire safety through similar programs courtesy of the Colquitt County Volunteer Fire Association, Cooper said. Georgia Power has also partnered with Colquitt County’s fire associations for the last five years to bring the Powertown presentation to all county schools. The only major difference will be Sparky, a costumed dog, being used instead of Flashy.
Cooper said the kids are also given an activity book and several goodies to help them continue to learn about fire safety. The goal of the fire prevention presentations is to provide consistent activities for all county schools.
