ELDRED, NY — True to the theme of Fire Prevention Week, “Plan and practice your escape. Not all heroes wear a cape,” students in the George Ross Mackenzie Elementary School—pre-Kindergarten through second grade—listened to and then practiced staying low in the event of a fire. At lower levels, oxygen is a tad bit easier to attain in the event of a fire. The lesson and skit were led by Anne Steimle, a member of the Lumberland Fire Department and Emergency Management Services.

In keeping with the second part of the theme, students in all of the elementary grades then met outside with local first responders, members of the Highland Lake, Lumberland and Yulan fire departments and American Legion Ambulance Service. The responders reviewed the equipment and explained how the various apparatuses on site are used, and then quizzed the students on aspects of boating and fire safety and first-aid.

The annual events emphasizing fire safety also include a poster contest at the school, sponsored by the Highland Lake and Yulan fire departments. This year’s winners, which come with cash prizes, are first place, fifth grader Maksym Doskotch; second place, sixth grader Marissa Gochenour; third place, fifth grader Chelsea Potter. In addition, Gochenour and Doskotch placed first and third, respectively, in a county-wide contest.

In other Fire Prevention Week news, the Narrowsburg Fire Department hosted a safety day on October 12. Participants had the opportunity to practice the safe use of a fire extinguisher through a fire simulator, staff a hose line and participate in a Fire Safety Scavenger Hunt. Treacy Hillegas, age 8, won a fire extinguisher for finishing the scavenger hunt and participation.