SSF Fire Dept Helps Kids Save Lives - Including Their Own

South San Francisco, CA November 12, 2015

This year's theme Hear the Beep when you sleep will be well remembered.

This year’s theme ‘Hear the beep where you sleep’ will be well remembered.

In 2014 there were 494,000 structure fires which killed 3,275 people and inured 15,775 more at the cost of $9.8 billion in property damage in the United States according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Every 64 seconds a structure fire is reported.

Fire fighters are sworn to protect life and property and our South San Francisco Fire Department is second to none as they continue to reach out to our children through their schools to educate them on how to stay safe. And how to keep others safe.

Fire Prevention Week is a big thing in South City as our Fire Personnel visited 11 schools and contacted more than 4,000 kids again this year. “Each of the students experiences safety exercises and learns about safety at home and school. Our main message this year was “Hear the beep where you sleep” which reinforces the importance of having working smoke detectors protecting every bedroom.” SSF Fire Chief Gerald Kohlmann said.

Students practice escaping a home fire safely through the SSFFD Learning Station

During the school visits made through out the month of October, the Department set up a Learning Center which simulates a structure and firefighters instruct the kids how to identify a fire danger and how to exit the building safely. Being part of this hands on experience excites the students and they are eager to go home and ‘teach’ their families about the importance of fire prevention. Part of that fire prevention includes creating plans at home with the whole family. CLICK HERE for more information on how you can create a plan for your family.

A fire engine is also on site which captures the attention of the all the students as they learn how an engine works and learn more about fire safety in a fun and memorable way.

In addition the South San Francisco Fire Department sponsors a poster contest which is another way to instill the fire safety information they are receiving deep into their minds. “The kids have fun creating the posters, but we know the messages we present are reinforced by the activity. We also get to see if what we have done has had a positive effect.” Chief Kohlmann said.

Students winning the Poster Contest enjoyed a BBQ at the Fire Statio with their families

Winners of the contest will be recognized at the December 9th City Council meeting and to prepare for them of this event the Fire Department hosted a BBQ at Fire Station 61 for the students and their families. The kids also feel a sense of pride and accomplishment seeing their posters on the display boards.

The City Council meetings start at 7pm at the MSB 33 Arroyo Drive and the public is encouraged to attend.