Welby Elementary third-grader Alexander Gray knows a thing or two about fire safety.

“I know it’s best to stay on the ground because there’s more clear air and the smoke is bad for you; that’s why firefighters wear uniforms and masks, to be safe,” he said. 

Alexander wants “to fight fires” when he’s older so he was paying close attention to the crew from South Jordan Fire Station 62 when they came to talk to second- and third-grade students during National Fire Prevention Week. Second graders were expected to visit the station later in the month.

“We want kids to understand what they need to do for fires by making sure they know who to call and become more comfortable with that,” station captain Jason Hester said. “I'm always impressed with how much they know like, ‘stop, drop and roll,’ for example. They’ve been taught that and can explain it to us.”

He credits that education from teachers, parents and even station visits — “we’ve had kids who are having a birthday party who have come by to see the station and engine and show them what we do.” For those who haven’t had as much exposure, and to reinforce it for those who have, is why the department came to the school, Hester said.

During the presentation at the school, Alexander and other students listened to a 911 call made for a medical emergency by a boy about his age, with firefighters emphasizing the importance of knowing the address of the emergency, the phone number, if the caller is safe and the condition of the person who is in need of help.

“I know I should call 911 if there’s an emergency,” Alexander said. “I shouldn’t be scared to call.”

Last year, South Jordan Fire Department’s four stations responded to 6,966 emergency calls, averaging 134 per week. 

Some facts Alexander didn’t know was that station 62’s three fire engines and one truck carry almost two miles of hose and they can connect to any one of the 4,118 fire hydrants in the city. 

He was familiar with the fact that a firetruck carries a ladder and more gear and tools than the three engines; those each have a supply of about 650 gallons of water. 

Some of the 80 pounds of protective gear that helps shield firefighters from the 1,000 degree heat from fires was shown to students as one firefighter put on the uniform, mask, helmet and gear for students. 

“The firefighters were stressing how they’re wanting to help people,” Welby Principal Aaron Ichimura said. “I liked how the firefighters said, ‘Hey, we look scary. We sound like Darth Vader, but we're here to help you.’ I appreciate how the students are learning that at a young age.”

Third-grade teacher Linda Weimer said it ties into a broader perspective of learning who people are and what they do in the community. 

“We want them to know who their community helpers are, that they’re safe and what they do to help and how to identify them,” she said. “We talk about a lot of different community helpers in our social studies.”

Students also asked the firefighters questions and learned that Station 62 responds to area wildland fires and recently fought a seven-hour fire in the landfill. 

While Alexander and others who may be interested in becoming firefighters have yet to earn their high school diplomas before entering the profession, Hester said they could get their EMT certification or learn about fire science; both programs are offered through the Jordan Applied Technical Center.

There is something Alexander said he can do now to be safe.

“I should always wear my seatbelt,” he said. “And it’s good to sit in the backseat until I become tall enough to sit up front.” λ