Fostering Fire Safety

Recently, the Auburn Hills Fire Department (AHFD) joined forces with the Lowry Center for Early Childhood Education at Oakland University to cultivate an appreciation for fire safety in young learners.

Under the guidance of teachers Ms. Kendra Barnett and Ms. Megan, Pre-Kindergarten students at the Lowry Center delved into a unit of study focused on firefighters and fire safety. The aim was twofold: to pique the students’ interest in a topic of their choosing and to foster their language and vocabulary development through engaging experiences.

In February, students wrote letters to the dedicated firefighters of the City of Auburn Hills. The collection of letters and drawings was hand-delivered to AHFD Captain Hazleton.

Auburn Hills Firefighter, Anne Slaughter, paid a special visit to the 4- and 5-year old students at the Lowry Center to share essential safety tips, demonstrating techniques such as staying low and crawling under smoke while searching for exit signs. The students participated in drills like “Stop, Drop, and Roll.” In a friendly competition, firefighters raced against the students to dress in firefighting gear. Of course, the students won!

At the end of April, the students visited AHFD Fire Station 2. Each student had the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of both the ambulance and the fire truck. The class received a presentation on fire gear by Firefighter Nolan Taylor and got to learn a few fire safety tips along the way. After a behind-the-scenes look into the world of firefighting, each student got to bring home their very own fire helmet hat!

Lisa Passalacqua, Community Engagement Manager, and Dawn Schultz, Fire Clerk