Firefighters want students at two Prince George’s County schools to start learning before they even crack open their books. The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Station is passing out book covers with fire prevention and safety tips to students at Capitol Heights Elementary School and Doswell E. Brooks Elementary School.
“We’re targeting the elementary schools because we want to get people at an early age so they can start learning about fire safety early on,” Chief James McClelland said.
He said book covers give safety messages such as reminders about checking smoke detectors and creating escape plans. The department hopes the tips increase students’ and parents’ awareness about how to prevent fires.
Students in upper elementary grades, third through sixth, will get book covers. McClelland said the fire station was working to get other materials, like coloring activities, for the younger students.
The two elementary schools were chosen because they are in the fire station’s main response area, he said.
McClelland, who attended Capitol Heights elementary himself, said the book covers are part of an effort to get the fire station more involved in the schools.
When he was a student, “we looked forward to getting materials from fire stations,” he said. “We’re trying to get back to that program.”
The fire station also participates in local schools’ career days and holds presentations for students during fire prevention week.
The book covers are being paid for in part through a grant from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office and Maryland State Fireman’s Association.
