Blighty, Conargo and Mayrung students learned about fire safety in a fun and engaging way when the Mid Murray Rural Fire Service re-launched its education campaign.
An in-schools education campaign has been re-launched by the Mid Murray Rural Fire Service.
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For the first time since before the pandemic, firefighters and staff visited Blighty Public School where its students and those from Conargo and Mayrung participated in learning important fire safety skills, life education lessons and fun games.
As well as educating the students about the role of the fire service, the fun day was aimed at highlighting the danger of fires - particularly in rural areas.
NSW RFS Mid Murray Zone district assistant Jodie Graham said while the statutory no burn period may have ended in February, it doesn’t mean the risk of bushfires is over.
She said there is still “a lot of fuel around the area” and that school visits like these are vital in providing students with the necessary skills for the event of a bushfire or any emergency situation they might encounter.
“I think it's of great importance that we educate children, especially in rural settings, in regards to developing their personal skills to ensure their own safety in a fire or emergency event,” she said.
“Especially with the farming community; just empowering the kids with the knowledge and understanding that bushfires are an erratic thing and to be alert of the situation and what can happen.”
Ms Graham and fellow district officer Gerard James provided the program to the small schools, and to the students' delight they brought with them Deniliquin’s new fire truck.
Blighty Public School principal Leanne Hedt said it was a fantastic day for the 60 students from their small schools group.
“It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were very spoilt to have them come out and teach the kids,” she said.
“The students just loved it, it was amazing.”
Mid Murray RFS district officer Jodie Graham guides students using the fire hose.
Mrs Hedt said the RFS staff were great at encouraging each child to develop a fire safety plan with their family at home, such as a safe way to get out of the house and meeting point in case of an emergency.
“It might be a mailbox or it might be a tree, and developing this plan with their families is really important,” she said.
“They learned so much; it is a fantastic opportunity for any school.”
Mrs Hedt said the students were divided into three groups based on their stage groups, and rotated through activities on the day.
With the sessions coinciding with a visit from the Healthy Harold Life Education Van, students rotated from the van learning about health topics, to the classroom to practise important fire safety drills, and then outside to the new fire truck for team activities and games.
Reflecting on the day, Ms Graham said the students “thoroughly enjoyed it and were very engaged”.
Stage 2 students with the new Deni fire truck.
Stage 3 students get their chance to take a closer look at a fire truck with district officer Garard James.
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