GVFD Fire Prevention Educator Scott Gurdak and firefighter Connor Morgan, left, answer questions from students at Boones Creek Christian Academy about what to do if they encounter a fire in their home or school.
Firefighter Connor Morgan stands behind the Gray Volunteer Fire Department'sÌýSTEM display at Gray Elementary School during a presentation in early May.
GVFD Fire Prevention Educator Scott Gurdak and firefighter Connor Morgan, left, answer questions from students at Boones Creek Christian Academy about what to do if they encounter a fire in their home or school.
It’s more than just “show and tell†when members of the Gray Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) speak to area schoolchildren about fire prevention and safety.
Scott Gurdak, the GVFD’s public information officer and fire safety educator, says firefighters want to send a message to students that they will pass on to friends and family members. He said fire prevention and lifesaving education is essential for helping to prevent a potential tragedy.
“The Gray community is growing tremendously,†Gurdak said. “There were hundreds of residences added last year and we serve over 12,000 residences in our coverage area. It’s even more important than ever for us to take the proactive approach to try to prevent those emergencies.â€
Gurdak says the GVFD is committed to its school and community outreach. Volunteers from the department routinely hold educational sessions at public and private schools in the Gray fire district. Gurdak said the department also looks to get key safety messages out to adults as well, including the importance of a home having a properly functioning smoke detector.
“I’m proud that the Gray Volunteer Fire Department can partner with our community schools to help further student achievement and foster social and academic growth,†GVFD Chief Dakota Sparks said. “We are dedicated to serving our Gray community.â€
In April, GVFD Firefighter Connor Morgan spoke to Carla Gremillion and Cyrena Fletcher’s class at Boones Creek Christian Academy about what they should do when they hear a smoke alarm go off.
“When you hear a beep, get out fast,†Morgan told the students.
Jenn Nounou, the director of the school’s Early Learning Center, said “students were engaged†by the hands-on experience of seeing a fire truck, hearing a smoke detector and touching firefighting equipment.
“If a student or an adult can learn one thing that could potentially save them from harm, we’ve done our job,†Gurdak said. “And of course if we can educate one person in the community, what I notice, especially in younger children, they will spread the knowledge.â€
Firefighter Connor Morgan stands behind the Gray Volunteer Fire Department'sÌýSTEM display at Gray Elementary School during a presentation in early May.
Photo courtesy of Scott Gurdak
He said an example was seen when GVFD members spoke at Gray Elementary School’s annual STEM Day event earlier this month. Gurdak said students were given examples of how much science, technology engineering and math is involved in firefighting.
“We discussed the science of fire and how there’s a fire triangle and every fire needs three elements,†Gurdak said. “It needs fuel, it needs heat and it needs oxygen. And if you remove one of those components of the triangle, that’s how you extinguish the fire.
In addition to speaking at local schools, the GVFD offers a junior firefighting program for qualified high school students who are 16 or older and have their parents’ permission.
“There’s a strict criteria,†Gurdak said. “Students have to maintain a certain academic GPA.â€
He said junior firefighters are allowed to observe and even participate in many training exercises for firefighters. Gurdak notes the program helps “fact track†participants who wish to become volunteer firefighters when they turn 18.
