HANAMA‘ULU — ‘Sparky’s Fire Safety House’ is coming to a business or community organization near you. The new fire safety trailer is currently on a tour of the elementary schools, said Jeremie Makepa, a Kaua’i Fire Department inspector. He was
HANAMA‘ULU — ‘Sparky’s Fire Safety House’ is coming to a business or community organization near you.
The new fire safety trailer is currently on a tour of the elementary schools, said Jeremie Makepa, a Kaua’i Fire Department inspector. He was manning ‘Sparky’ Tuesday morning at its first stop, King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School in Hanama‘ulu.
But “once the elementary school visits are over, and during the summer months, businesses wishing to provide fire safety exercises for its employees are invited to book the fire safety trailer,” Makepa added.
Tuesday marked the final day of a week-long visit where students were treated to fire safety, prevention, and awareness education by members of the Kaua‘i Fire Department.
“Our first day was rained out,” said Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman. “Today is our last day at King Kaumuali‘i, but it allows some of our Kaua‘i County Council members to see the fire safety trailer in action, as well as the reception students have to the education programs provided by the Kaua‘i Fire Prevention Bureau.”
Makepa, who hosted nearly 75 students in a short 90-minute segment, said they will survey both the students and teachers to find out what they liked about the tour, using the information gained to tailor the presentations accordingly.
“Primarily we teach fire safety and outside fire safety,” Makepa said. “The surveys also tell us what the students already know about fire and fire safety.”
During the week-long tour in Hanama‘ulu, Makepa said some of the facets enjoyed by the students included the teachers putting out a real fire, dressing up in the fire resistant firemen’s gear, and climbing out the window.
“The exercise where students climb out of a room’s window is good practice because how many times does a student actually have the opportunity to exit a room through a window?” Makepa said.
Following this year’s school tour, Makepa said the bureau is considering tailoring the tour to first- and third-grade students.
“The trailer is able to create various scenarios beyond fires, such as hurricanes and other weather-related emergencies,” said Sarah Blane, the county spokesperson for the police and fire departments. “The lessons can be tailored, and by creating these scenarios in a more realistic environment, people are able to practice what to do in the event of a real emergency.”
In addition to the reservations for business and school education, Makepa said the fire safety trailer, acquired through a grant and sponsorships from community businesses, will be making appearances at major public events such as the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair.
“The exercises at these public events will be more general in nature, providing people with an awareness of fire and how to plan for fire emergencies,” Makepa said.
The fire safety trailer, which was dedicated on Oct. 30, 2012, is a critical component of the Kaua‘i Fire Prevention Bureau’s community outreach and fire safety and prevention program, states a county release.
The 30-foot mobile trailer was obtained through a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant, which contributed 80 percent of the $130,000 cost, including equipment.
Community sponsors, including All State Insurance, State Farm Insurance and Pioneer Seed Co. offset the county’s portion of the total cost.
Visit www.kauai.gov/fire for more information, or to book the fire safety trailer for any community organization.
