Kids' Page

Having Fun

Kids have fun learning about a Fire Department.  You can see by the look on the boy's face that he is enjoying himself.  What is he doing? He is using a fog nozzle under pressure to create what we call a "wide fog" pattern.  We use this pattern for a few reasons:

[1] To help break up the water into little tiny droplets.  You must know that it's not really the water that puts out a fire inside a building.  It's the steam!  So, if you can change the water into steam you have just solved one of the challenges that Firefighters face every day.

[2] To help ventilate, or bring smoke out of, a room.  The wide fog pattern actually helps move air passed the Firefighter when he stands near a window and points the nozzle outside.  This moving air then will pull smoke out of a room. 

Fire Prevention Week [in October]

FBVFD has always been concerned about children.  We have tried to present fire safety to the children of Fort Blackmore Primary School in a way in which they could relate.  We have purchased materials for the students, also.  Pencils, helmets, and stickers are always a good way to get their attention.  We teach:

Stop Drop & Roll

Never Go Back Inside

Have a Meeting Place

Safety around Fire, Fuels, and Matches

Always Wear Your Seatbelt when riding in a Car

Homeland Security

Since September 11, 2001, the US Government has put in place a system to advise people of the threat of terrorism.  You can find out more about how the USA deals with these threats by visiting some of the sites listed below.  If you have a question about anything, feel free to send an Email to our Department.  You can click here to leave us a message.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are very important in your home.  Your family will stay safer when they use a smoke alarm.  The Virginia Department of Fire Programs recommends that, as their highest recommendation, that one smoke detector be placed in every room.  Or, one smoke detector in every bedroom, and also a smoke detector in every hall, if you have a lot of rooms in your house. Visit the Smoke Alarm Check List on our Department's WebSite. Smoke Alarm Check List

Smoke detectors run on nine-volt batteries. In Virginia, new homes must have smoke detectors that are connected together.  That way, when one goes off, they all go off. The detectors can "smell" smoke in the air [ionization], and can "see" smoke in the air [photoelectric sensors]. Some detectors have a button that tests the "horn".  Families must remember that the "horn" test only tests the noisy buzzer and it doesn't test the smoke-sensing part of the detector.

Studies show that children often sleep right through a smoke detector's alarm.  Or, they wake up so slowly that the time it takes to get out of the house is longer. Some newer smoke detectors have Mom's voice recorded! It says, "Wake up, Tommy, and get out of bed..." Pretty cool, huh?  Those same studies say that the majority of kids who hear Mommy calling for them are awake and moving in about 30 seconds. Wow, that would be great for when Mom wants some help with the dishes, huh...?

Another smoke detector can actually tell you if the smoke is just a nuisance or whether it is a real emergency.  Humm, I wonder if it knows when Dad burns the toast? It can tell the difference between a smoky fire and one that isn't so smoky.

Bedroom smoke detectors are the best if they sense smoke and heat.  That way, your family is covered both ways.

The diagram above, from the US Government, at the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, is helpful for installing smoke detectors. They would like your family to use the smoke detector plan for installing one in every bedroom and on every floor.

Just Say No to Drugs

Click on the Picture

WebSites for "Just Say No" to Drugs

• Crime Prevention Tips - Fairfax Police

• D.A.R.E.

• Drug Prevention Lessons

• First Grade Plus - Information for Teachers

• Growing Up Drug Free - A Parent's Guide

• Just Say No! Alochol Awareness Site

• Just Say No Song

• McGruff & Scruff

• McGruff the Crime Dog

• McGruff - Internet Safety Program

• McGruff - SafeHouse

• McGruff - Safe Kids Program

• McGruff - Wikipedia Information

• Mrs. Regan's Just Say No Site

• Parents: the Anti-Drug

• Ronald Regan Library

• Think Quest Library