Fire safety is an essential aspect of community well-being that often goes unnoticed by the general public until a crisis occurs. However, recognising its significance, it becomes crucial to instil the knowledge of fire safety from a young age, making education vital.
When children are taught about fire prevention and safety, they develop a heightened awareness of their surroundings and become better equipped to respond to emergencies.
By understanding the potential hazards and adopting preventive measures, they can create a safer environment for themselves and their communities.
To effectively educate children about fire safety, various initiatives are undertaken, including school, family and community-based programmes aimed at bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application while fostering a strong bond between firefighters and the community they serve.
One such example is the organisation of educational trips to the local State Fire and Rescue (Bomba) station. These trips provide children with hands-on learning experiences, where they can witness fire safety demonstrations, interact with firefighters, and gain a deeper understanding of fire prevention strategies.
By witnessing fire safety practices in action, children can grasp the importance of fire safety measures and develop a sense of responsibility towards their safety and the well-being of their community.
Furthermore, these educational trips not only serve as informative experiences for children but also strengthen the relationship between firefighters and the community.
Through direct interaction and engagement, firefighters become more than just emergency responders; they become approachable figures whom children can look up to and seek guidance from.
This connection helps foster trust and cooperation between the community and the firefighters, leading to a more collaborative approach to addressing fire safety concerns.
In this spirit, a recent visit of preschoolers from Tadika Hikmah Serian to the Serian Bomba Station provided an engaging and interactive opportunity for them to learn about fire safety.
“We’re going on a trip!”
Excitement filled the air as 26 preschoolers gathered in the station’s courtyard, eagerly anticipating their much-anticipated adventure. This annual visit to the fire station, organised by Tadika Hikmah Serian, aimed to introduce the kids to fire safety concepts early.
Empowering Young Minds Under the guidance of the Children’s Fire Club (Kelab Keselamatan Kanak-kanak or Kelab 3K), the preschoolers were taught essential skills to protect themselves in case of a fire.
Asmida Jali, the preschool principal, highlighted the significance of this visit, not only for the students but also for the teachers. The opportunity to learn how to use fire extinguishers and reinforce fire emergency contact numbers was invaluable.
Hands-On Learning
The tour commenced with an introductory session on operating fire extinguishers, emphasizing the importance of containing small fires before they escalate.
Each group of children, accompanied by parents, participated in various activities throughout the visit.
They joyfully learned the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” technique, practising it on mats with laughter and excitement.
Furthermore, they received vital instructions on creating fire escape plans for situations involving thick smoke.
Thrills and Insights
The tour continued with an up-close examination of bright red fire trucks and an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle.
Excitedly, the children explored the equipment used during emergencies, capturing memorable moments with the EMRS vehicle and observing a demonstration of a cutter machine used to cut through strong metal.
The loud noise from the cutter startled some students, but their faces radiated enjoyment throughout the demonstration.
Additionally, they had the opportunity to witness the functioning of a control room and hear from the officer in charge about emergency response protocols.
Unforgettable Experiences
Among the highlights of the visit was the chance for each child to use a real fire hose.
Under the guidance of a firefighter, they took turns aiming the hose into the air, feeling the rush of water and the excitement of the moment.
The children’s enthusiasm reached new heights when they boarded a fire truck, simulating a thrilling race to save the day.
Sirens blaring, they cheered with excitement, relishing this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Even the parents couldn’t resist joining in on the fun, eager to fulfil their dreams of riding a fire truck.
Meeting the K9 Heroes
The final activity provided a rare opportunity for the children: meeting the Bomba Sarawak’s K9 dogs.
This fire station housed five special dogs trained for search and rescue operations.
Overcoming initial fears, the young firefighters bravely ventured into the area where the K9s stayed.
Ahmad Airell Firdaus, a six-year-old, expressed his fondness for this experience, stating that meeting the K9 dogs was his favourite part of the visit.
Inspiring future heroes
Supervisor Gilbert Majem of the Serian Bomba Station expressed his hope that the children would develop an interest in firefighting and continue the noble efforts of assisting the community in the future.
He emphasised the benefits of the visit, as it granted the children an understanding of Bomba’s work across Malaysia.
Majem envisioned a future where these young visitors might step into the shoes of retiring firefighters, carrying on their legacy.
This trip to the fire station was more than a mere outing; it raised awareness and inspired the young minds present.
In the end, the visit proved to be an unforgettable experience for the preschoolers. Through engaging activities, hands-on learning, and thrilling encounters, they gained valuable knowledge about fire safety. The trip not only fostered a sense of caution and responsibility but also ignited their imaginations, inspiring some to dream of becoming real-life heroes in the service of their communities.
