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SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. A firefighter in full uniform and mask makes a sound much like Darth Vader did in Star Wars. Although Darth Vader was evil, Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Haggerty told a group of first graders that wasn't the case for firefighters.
He's your friend, Haggerty said while pointing to a firefighter dressed in full gear. When you see him, you go to him.
The Sleepy Hollow Fire Department continued its Fire Prevention Awareness Week at Winfield L. Morse Elementary School Wednesday. The department taught kids basic fire prevention tips and what they should do in an emergency.
Students also got to look at a fire truck that was parked outside the main entrance to the school.
Fire Chief John Korzelius gave the kids a homework assignment for their parents, much to the first graders' delight. He told them to go home and get their parents to test and replace the batteries on their smoke alarms.
Students also learned how to stop, drop and roll to put out a fire on their clothes or body. Three students volunteered to demonstrate the method, along with a firefighter in all his gear. Laughter erupted from the crowd as the firefighter quickly demonstrated stop, drop and roll while his clunky gear clanged on the auditorium's stage.
Korzelius tested students' knowledge about 9-1-1, asking them what the telephone number they should dial to reach the emergency service. After students correctly told him 9-1-1, he admitted it was a trick question.
Korzelius also reminded students that if there was a fire at their house, they shouldn't go back inside to get their dog or cat. Most likely, Korzelius said, the pet would already be outside.
You can always get another dog, another cat, he said. You can't get another you.
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