On Wednesday July 21st, the Chatham-Kent Fire Department – Station #10 Orford/Highgate participated in the Chatham-Kent Farm Safety Day Camp at Ridgetown College.

Captain Scott Jay, Firefighter Jamie Anderson, Firefighter Lee Gosnell and Public Educator Barb Dawson facilitated a fire extinguisher demonstration and practical experience for approximately 150 children. The children rotated through eight stations in groups throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Captain Jay explained the importance of early detection of a fire including having working smoke alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas in the home. He also had the children answer questions on what to do if the smoke alarm sounded in their homes. He taught them the different classes of fires and the proper technique for using a fire extinguisher. The children learned the PASS acronym as a handy tip for remembering the technique. P–Pull the pin, A- Aim at the base of the fire, S-squeeze the trigger, S-Sweep across the base of the fire to extinguish.

The children then had the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice. Each child used a fire extinguisher and practiced “PASS” extinguishing a live fire.