July 24, 2006

New safety trailer in service

       The White River Township Fire Department recently took delivery of a new tool for use in teaching some of its education programs.  In September 2004, a federal grant was submitted for a Fire safety trailer to be used for public education in the areas of fire safety and severe weather.  Notification was made in May, 2005 that the department was awarded the grant and by late March, 2006, the new Safety Trailer was delivered to the department.  After nearly three months of training, graphics applications, and other minor enhancements, the new trailer was officially placed in service.

         Although the department has always provided some form of fire prevention program, it has now been more than eight years that a portion of the Division has been solely devoted to teaching fire safety and prevention programs.  The Safety trailer will assist the department with the existing programs that are already provided at the request of the Center Grove Community School system and by several churches, day cares, and pre-schools within the fire district.

         The Safety trailer is a single floor design allowing for easier access for all ages and it is handicap accessible.  The target audiences are children between the ages of four and eleven years, and senior citizens sixty-five and over.  For children, the program has a structured discussion addressing the dangers of fire play, the actions one should take if his or her clothing or home is on fire, and the importance of creating and practicing a fire response plan with the family.  After the discussion portion of the program, the department utilizes the Safety Trailer to allow the children to practice the concepts that were covered in the discussion.  For the seniors, the discussion focuses on safe emergency egress from a burning building.  The seniors also utilize the fire safety trailer to practice what they learned.  The severe weather education program focuses on the importance of being prepared in a severe weather emergency and is for all ages.  For more information on the equipment or available programs, click HERE.
 

           
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