FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Springfield Fire Department, in partnership with the Springfield Public Schools and area private schools, is again looking forward to joining area students in classrooms across the community to provide important age appropriate fire and life safety education during October’s Fire Prevention Month.
While fire prevention is important year-round, Fire Prevention Month focuses on reaching elementary students throughout our community as a part of the fire department’s comprehensive community risk reduction program which are dedicated to the reduction and elimination of risk from fire in our community.
Throughout the month, firefighters will visit area pre-K and elementary classrooms, providing grade-specific fire and life safety curriculum designed for positive interaction between students and firefighters, while also providing important information for parents about what their children learned during Fire Prevention Month.
New this year, the department is working with schools to send students home with letters and educational materials in six languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese and Ukrainian. To view the letters and materials, along with links to educational videos, visit https://www.springfieldmo.gov/firepreventionmonth.
“I am thankful that our firefighters will once again be in our schools, and am appreciative of Springfield Public Schools and area private schools for their continued partnership and prioritizing the safety of our children,” said Fire Chief David Pennington. “Springfield has a growing population of families whose first language is something other than English, and we want to make sure we reach all members of the community with our safety messages.”
In addition to Fire Prevention Month, the Springfield Fire Department offers free smoke alarms and batteries to anyone in need. If you are in need of a smoke alarm or replacement battery or would like to have your alarm(s) tested, please contact Fire Department Headquarters at 417-874-2300 to schedule an appointment, or email at [email protected].
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Media only: For more information or to arrange an interview, call Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Newberry, 417-874-2320.