Northbrook Firefighter Shares Knowledge with First-Grade Classes
On November 17, Northbrook Firefighter Brian Aquino or “Ted”, as he introduced himself to Wescott School first-graders, shared that he had an uncle that he looked up to as a child, who inspired him to be a firefighter when he told his myriad stories.
Years later, when Mr. Aquino became a firefighter, he said he just “fell in love” with the job, and stressed how rewarding it is to be in a position to help people.
During the virtual visit, Mr. Aquino presented fire safety tips and fielded questions from all of the classes. Teachers whose classes participated included Sharon Latek's, Courtney Hoffman's, Elaine Campbell's, Trisha Palzet's, Katherine Kamin's, Julia Graehling's, and Rachael Jennings's.
His advice began with the use of safety alarms in homes. He reminded everyone that alarms should be tested once a month, and the battery should be changed twice a year when the clocks are changed. Families should also practice safety drills together twice a year.
“When a smoke alarm does go off, or if there is a fire, families need to have two ways to get out of every room in the house. After exiting, there should be a safe meeting place, i.e., a neighbor’s house, bus stop, a fire hydrant, etc.”, explained Mr. Aquino.
He also reviewed what a person should do if their clothes catch fire: “Stop, Drop, and Roll!”
Mr. Aquino told the children that Northbrook Firefighters answer approximately 18 calls a day, but they are not always for fires. Some are ambulance calls, car accidents, or false alarms!
A few of the children’s many great questions that were answered include the following:
- *Fire trucks are red because it’s a tradition. Many years ago, red was the least expensive paint to use, and it stood out.
- *Rescue ladders can reach up to 100 feet.
- *Fire trucks are about 40 feet long and eight feet wide.
- *When putting a fire out, a firefighter uses 180 gallons of water a minute.
- *A person must be 18 years old to become eligible to be a firefighter. In Northbrook, the age of eligibility is 21.
- *To become a firefighter, one must take a reading, math, mechanical aptitude, and physical ability tests. He/she is then ranked and must wait until there is a position open at a station before becoming employed. Tests must be retaken every two years.
Ms. Latek thanked Mr. Aquino for taking time to talk to the students, and everyone applauded and thanked him in unison!
Additional Safety Messages for our District 30 Families:
October 3-9, 2021 was Fire Safety Week. The theme was “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.”
“It's important to learn the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms."
Keep Fire Safety in mind when heating your home in the winter months ahead. December January and February are the leading months for home heating fires. Overall, heating equipment is the second leading cause of US home fires and home fire deaths.