On Tuesday, October 11 the Newburgh Fire Department visited the Gidney Avenue Memorial School for Fire Prevention Week (October 9 - 15) The Fire Prevention Week 2022 theme, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape,” promotes potentially life-saving messages that can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. 

GAMS scholars were greeted by Newburgh firefighters.  Each student was given a fire helmet as they arrived in the rear lot of the school.  Their eyes lit up with excitement when they saw the two firetrucks parked side-by-side. The scholars received a tour of each firetruck and learned the purpose of each gadget and tool. They were also shown all of the gear firefighters have to put on before arriving to fight a fire.

The most popular firefighter present was Nick the firedog, a pit bull puppy that was left abandoned and tied to a fire hydrant a block away from the firehouse. The puppy was rescued by the Newburgh firefighters where he quickly became a permanent fixture at the firehouse and a local celebrity. The children gathered around donning their fire helmets as one firefighter read The True Story of Nick the Firedog written by Timothy Dexter Jr.  They each had the opportunity to pet the lovable firedog.  

More importantly, the children were engaged. They asked great questions of the Newburgh firefighters. The scholars learned a lot about fire safety and prevention.  Some of the young scholars even expressed their desire to become firefighters when they grow up.