FARMINGTON — Members of the fire department interacted with more than 550 local children last week in observance of Fire Prevention Week.

W.G. Mallett School first-grade student Carter Thayer waits his turn while Wyatt Goodhart tries to hold an 8-pound fireman’s pick axe during a tour of the Farmington Fire Department on Monday, Oct. 15. (Dee Menear/Franklin Journal)

Several members of the department took part in Cascade Brook School Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 12. Children at the school-wide celebration had the chance to explore the cab of a fire truck and talk with firefighters. Chief Terry Bell said the department also held fire education activities with a group of homeschool children and the kindergarten class at W.G. Mallett School.

Mallett School first grade students were invited to visit the fire department. On Monday, Oct. 16, they were treated to a tour of the station where they learned about different tools used to fight fires and saw the gear firefighters wear on fire calls.

“This is really cool,” said a wide-eyed Nolan Prosser, 6 of New Vineyard, as he climbed into the cab of one of the trucks.

Fire Prevention Week is a national effort targeted at educating children, parents, and teachers on how to stay safe in case of a fire. The National Fire Prevention Association has sponsored the effort since 1922.

This year’s campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” focused on steps to take to reduce the likelihood of fires and how to escape safely in the event of one.

The steps include: looking around to identify potential fire hazards that need attention; listening for the sound of the smoke alarm and making sure everyone knows where to meet; and learning two ways out of every room and ensuring exits are free of clutter.

According to NFPA, the education firefighters provide is an effort to decrease casualties caused by fires.

“We have found involvement and education has helped cut down on serious fires and intentional fires involving juveniles. We have had no juvenile-involved fires,” Bell said.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of Oct. 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire which began on Oct. 8, 1871 and caused devastating damage.

“As far as we are concerned, every week is Fire Prevention Week,” Bell pointed out.

dmenear@thefranklinjournal.com