Colleton County Fire-Rescue

12/17/2009

Bryanna Rhoney won first place in Colleton County Fire–Rescue’s Fire Prevention coloring contest. The contest was offered to second grade students during Fire Prevention Month in October/November.  Byranna was presented a new bicycle and helmet during Mrs. Hiers’ class at Northside Elementary School. She is pictured with members of Colleton County Fire – Rescue and her mother.  Other winners included Benjamin Thigpen, 2nd place of Cottageville Elementary and Drekyle Mack, 3rd place, of Hendersonville Elementary; both of which received gift cards to Wal-Mart.

The coloring contest is part of the two month long Fire Prevention Program offered to the elementary schools throughout the County. The Fire Prevention Education program kicks into high gear in October to coincide with Fire Prevention Week, but due to the number of students and schools involved the program runs into late November. The youngest children are read a fire prevention story from a large picture book by Battalion Chief Richard Sheffield. All children practice “Stop, Drop and Roll” techniques. They then tour a fire truck and ambulance. Each child has the opportunity to spray water from the booster line. First Graders watch Fire Prevention DVDs, listen to firefighters talk about fire and life safety and also tour the emergency vehicles. Second Graders

participate in a live action skit, where firefighters perform the wrong, unsafe actions and the students have to yell out to stop the play every time something unsafe is done. They also tour the emergency vehicles. Third Grade students tour the Fire Safety House, where they learn about safety in the home, smoke alarms, kitchen safety, bathroom safety and exit drills.

As part of the second grade program, students who wish to participate, can submit a drawing to the Fire Safety Coloring Contest. Each participant must answer 10 fire safety questions presented in the program and color a drawing of a firefighter. Those who answer all questions correctly are then judged on the artistic ability. All participates and their schools are kept anonymous until the judging is complete. The winner receives a new bicycle and a safety helmet, while the second place winner receives a $25.00 gift card and the third place winner receives a $10.00 gift card.