Firefighter Paramedic Jose Pagan talks to students about the importance of fire safety. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Sometimes, special events are just fun at Immaculate Conception School (ICS) in Port Clinton, but sometimes, they come with life-altering lessons. On Oct. 8, First Responders from Port Clinton Fire & Rescue visited the school to teach students lessons that could save their lives.

But there was a whole lot of laughter in the school while they were learning.

Whether they were climbing into the fire truck or trying on Chief Brian Gutman’s gear, the kids were having fun, which was probably the most important lesson of all. ICS Principal Margaret Drew wanted to connect her students with First Responders so they become familiar and comfortable with them.

Port Clinton Fire Chief Brian Gutman helps Piper Main try on his gear at Immaculate Conception School. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“Chief Gutman puts on all the gear, and he looks like Darth Vadar. Now, the kids know what he looks like and sounds like with his gear on,” Drew said. “When there’s a fire event or something scary happening, we want our children to not be afraid of the firefighters or the equipment.”

Gutman, whose children attend ICS, high-fived kids with his gear on and then invited some of them to slip into his boots and coat. The students left feeling unafraid and prepared to meet a First Responder in an emergency situation.

Firefighter Paramedic Zach Lawrence helps a student down from a fire truck. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Firefighter Paramedic Jose Pagan taught the students about smoke alarms and fire safety. He set one off so the kids became familiar with the sound, and then Pagan and the students practiced crawling to the door together and feeling for heat with the back of their hand like they would if their school or house was on fire.

“People get scared and don’t know what to do when there’s a fire,” Pagan told the students. “We need to stay calm, so we can all get out together. The biggest thing is to stay calm and stay together.”

Immaculate Conception students gives high-fives to Port Clinton Fire Chief Brian Gutman. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Outside, the students had the chance to climb into a firetruck and see an ambulance. Now, if a firetruck comes to their home or they have to ride in an ambulance, the experience will be a little less frightening.

Drew said she invites the fire department to visit the school every October in observance of National Fire Prevention Month.

“I remember when I was little, I had conversations with my parents about fire safety,” Drew said. “This sparks those conversations.”

Firefighter EMT Jodie Brown and Firefighter Paramedic Zach Lawrence teach students about ambulances at Immaculate Conception School. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Drew is grateful that the fire department takes the time to visit the school each year.

“Our firefighters are so good to us,” she said. “It’s a great day. We love our firefighters.”