Published: Oct 30, 2026 7:00 am
In honor of October being Fire Prevention Safety Month, many firefighters visited local schools and preschools during October to share fire safety lessons.
This includes Botsford Fire Rescue, which visited Middle Gate Elementary School on Thursday, October 22, along with Newtown Hook & Ladder, which visited Wesley Learning Center on Wednesday, October 21.
Botsford Fire Rescue former Assistant Chief Bill McAllister, along with Firefighter Terry Williams and Chief Kyle Placko, taught students learned a wide variety of fire safety tips, from having a special meeting place in case of a fire to using the back of their hand to test if a door is hot.
Botsford’s firefighters focused their presentation on this year’s theme, “Charge Into Fire Safety. Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” as lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries, and cell phone tablets are becoming more commonplace.
Newtown Hook & Ladder Firefighters Joey Corbo and Rachael Gindraux taught the children at Wesley Learning Center what number to call in case of an emergency, how to crawl through their home low to the ground to avoid smoke inhalation, and what firefighters look like when handling a fire.
Middle Gate first grader Jack Pisano (left) is lifted through a demonstration window by Terry Williams, a new member of Botsford Fire Rescue. Students had the opportunity to practice calling for help and be safely lifted through the window during the fire safety presentations at their school. In addition to the presentation, Botsford Fire Rescue members gave each Middle Gate student a copy of the book Curious George and the Firefighters by H.A. Rey to take home. —Bee Photo, Visca
On Wednesday, October 21, Newtown Hook & Ladder members Rachael Gindraux (pictured) and Joey Corbo visited Wesley Learning Center to teach the young kids about fire safety. Gindraux first asked the children if they knew what number to call in case of an emergency, and then asked if they should call 911 in certain scenarios. Among the options offered, Gindraux asked the children if they should call 911 to order a pizza. Despite initial nods of “Yes,” Gindraux gently explained that 911 is for emergencies only. —Bee Photo, Cross
Newtown Hook & Ladder Firefighter Joey Corbo put on his gear to show the young children what firefighters will look like in case of a fire in their home. Part of the fire safety education was showing them how to crawl through their home low to the ground to avoid smoke inhalation. Rachael Gindraux and Corbo also brought a play portable tunnel for their presentation, so the children could practice crawling. While Corbo put on his air mask, Gindraux reminded the children that even though Corbo may look scary, he is “still Firefighter Joey.” Gindraux also invited the kids to approach Corbo and inspect his gear. Some were very brave and offered Corbo a high five. After the brief demonstration, Corbo took the children outside to tour Engine 1. —Bee Photo, Cross
