• By Ross Cunningham •
• Originally published October 8, 2009 at 9:39 a.m., updated October 8, 2009 at 9:39 a.m.

The sound of fire trucks will be heard all around Bay City during the month of October during National Fire Prevention Week as the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department visited elementary schools and daycares. National fire prevention week runs from Oct 3 through Oct. 10, Bay City have the fire prevention campaign for the month of October.

The 38 volunteer member fire department kicked off the week with an open house at the fire station on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The station located at 1920 6th St. was crowded with children and adults. The fire station had all the fire trucks out on a blocked off 6th Street for visitors to look at. Visitors were also able to see self-contained breathing apparatus, the Jaws of Life and other equipment that firefighters use. The truck also carried outdoor lights, electrical cords and giant fans to blow out the smoke in house fires. At the station they also had fire engines with hoses and ladders.

To continue with NFPW, the fire department will visit area schools to speak to children about fire safety.

“We want to tell the children what to do in case of a fire and to let them know that the fireman is their friend and they shouldn’t be afraid,” said Bay City Volunteer fire fighter Sherree Johnson. “We go to the classrooms and actually put on our fireman’s gear. It can really sound scary to a kid during a fire with our oxygen mask and gear on. The sounds make the fireman sound like Darth Vader from Star Wars.”

Johnson said, The Fireman Friend Program is taught at schools for first and second grade students. During their presentations, the firemen put on their full gear and teach children not to hide in closets or under their bed in case of a fire, but rather go to them for safety. The main emphasis of Fire Prevention Week is educate everyone about the dangers of fires and how fires can kill people and destroys property.

The fire department is using the month of October to remind the community on fire safety. Every house, apartment, or hotel room should have a smoke detector and this week should be a reminder to check the batteries to make sure it works properly.

“Every home should have a working fire extinguisher and everyone in the home should know how to use it,” Bay City second assistant Fire Chief Bob Klepac said. “It is always a good idea for each home to have a fire escape plan and this is as good time to make one or practice using an already existing one. The fire department would like to remind you not to leave matches or lighters lying around where young children can get to them and think about where you store hazardous liquids such as gasoline, paint-thinners or even common household cleaners,” he said.

Volunteer fireman Eric Schroeder said one thing people don’t know about firefighters is the hours of training.

“We put in 50-60 hours at the firehouse in training,” said Schroeder. “We have a class on using the Jaws, equipment maintenance, bi-monthly training meetings and monthly meetings.”

Klepac said they have responded to numerous fires in and around Bay City during the year and have found that a large majority of them could have been avoided with a few simple preventative measures. “Remember, it is up to you to prevent fires but rest assured that if you need us, the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department is always ready to help you,” he said.

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