Captain Gorman led the discussion, emphasizing the dual nature of fire as both beneficial and potentially dangerous. He stressed the need for children to understand fire safety basics, a topic often introduced by teachers. A crucial part of the presentation was ensuring children knew the emergency number 911, and Gorman encouraged families to discuss designated meeting places outside the home in case of evacuation. He illustrated the importance of this preparedness by suggesting familiar landmarks like mailboxes or fire hydrants as meeting points, which could help alleviate parents’ concerns during an emergency.

Gorman also addressed the instinct children have to hide during emergencies, which can hinder rescue efforts. To help demystify the role of firefighters, Gorman conducted a demonstration with Firefighter Rivalry, who donned full protective gear. This demonstration aimed to familiarize children with the appearance and purpose of the equipment, which can be intimidating. Gorman explained that the gear, weighing over 75 pounds, protects firefighters from harmful elements and includes boots with steel plates and layers of insulation. He clarified that the air tanks worn by firefighters contain regular breathing air, not pure oxygen, which is critical for operating safely in toxic environments.

This effort to educate was extended with a homework assignment for children to discuss fire safety with their families, including practicing “stop, drop, and roll,” and ensuring smoke detectors are properly installed and maintained. The representative from the fire department suggested changing smoke detector batteries every six months, despite some being designed to last longer, and encouraged children to discuss these safety measures with their parents, potentially educating them as well.

The session invited questions from students, which revealed further insights into firefighting operations. One inquiry about fire truck design prompted an explanation of the collaborative process between township officials and fire chiefs to tailor vehicles to community needs. Another question about chainsaws in firefighting led to a description of how they are used to ventilate buildings by cutting holes in roofs, thereby improving conditions for firefighters inside.

The representative also addressed questions about the fire department’s equipment and operations, noting that Edison has six firehouses, each with an engine, totaling around seven fire engines. The importance of preparedness and safety was reiterated, with an emphasis on the necessity of children understanding and sharing the safety information learned.

The meeting concluded with an interactive session where students were encouraged to explore a fire engine and learn about the equipment it carries, including 750 gallons of water and various firefighting tools. The representative stressed the importance of the knowledge shared.