Montana City students get fired up over safety lessons

Expect the unexpected.

That is one of the many lessons learned by Montana City School students when the Montana City Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Fire Prevention exercises October 8 and 9.

From kindergartners through eighth graders, there was something for everyone, including lessons that could one day save a life.

Kirk Taylor coordinator for the event for the last 16 years, once again wowed the students with his knowledge and stories. Taylor and other firefighters created lots of excitement throughout the day, including during lunch when they spread out among the youngsters to enjoy the meal. The kids were clamoring for a firefighter to sit next to them.

MCVFD arrived bright and early October 8 with the fire department's new truck, Engine 2, just in time for the seventh graders to practice using fire extinguishers. With the ever changing wind, it was an exercise that showed the kids just what to expect - the unexpected.

All the kids had a turn putting out the fire with a dry chemical fire extinguisher with the help and guidance of Ben Kamerzel, a lieutenant with the fire department. Before beginning, they went through all the safety procedures and what each fire extinguisher did to each type of fire. The test fire consisted of a little water, and diesel and gas to get it really going. Some kids got fire out the first time, while others ran out of extinguisher and had to get a new one, but they all had the cheers of their fellow classmates.

Once finished with the fire extinguishers, the seventh graders toured the fire truck and also got to tour an ambulance from the local ambulance service, Eagle Ambulance. From learning how things work to getting to lie on the gurney, the students had fun and learned a lot.

Kindergartners learned how to Stop - cover your face - Drop and Roll.' Then they toured the fire truck and heard the horn and sirens. They capped their experience by trying on firefighter coats and helmets. The coats were as tall as some of the kids and just as heavy, producing some endearing images.

First graders were treated to visions of firefighters fully geared up. The practical message behind the lesson was that even someone as scary looking as a firefighter in full gear can be a welcome sight in case of a fire. They learned not to hide under beds or in closets, and they learned to call 911 and tell the operator they are in Montana City and where they lived.

Especially intriguing to the young students was the thermal imaging camera that shows where someone is through even dense smoke.

A different lesson awaited second graders, who entered the "smoke room" - a harmless smoke that firefighters use to practice in a simulated structure fire. The room was filled to the rim with smoke. Even though the students could not see anything without the assistance of the thermal imaging camera, Captain Pete Brustkern and volunteer Larry Alheim demonstrated how the device enables firefighters to see victims through the smoke. The students proclaimed it to be the "coolest thing".

With the aid of the thermal imager, the students crawled to stay below as much smoke as possible and found their target. They also discussed a need to stay put and not hide so the firefighters can get to them if ever trapped in fire.

Usually the eighth graders get to shoot water from the fire hoses during the annual Fire Prevention Day, but falling temperatures and an early snowfall prevented that. In the spring the fire department plans to return to allow that and to hold the second annual relay race for eighth graders in firefighter turnouts.

The day also included movies about fire prevention and fire safety issues, from smoke detector maintenance to the power of a roaring fire. The department also handed out water bottles to students.

MCVFD Firefighter Larry Alheim shows Montana City School Children Engine 2.

MCVFD Lieutenant Ben Kamerzel teaches fire extinguisher use at Montana City School.