Babylon FD Enlists Young Recruits in Safety Effort

Next week is National Fire Prevention Week and today marks Fire Prevention Day at Babylon's grade and elementary schools.

It's an extra busy time for the Babylon Village Fire Department whose members take time out to meet and talk with local students, as well as community groups about fire safety.

Babylon firefighters take community fire safety education seriously, said Fire Department Captain Daniel Golder and throughout the year make visits with fire trucks to the Babylon Public Libary, and they will make custom presentations upon request. Golder, who chairs the fire prevention committee, is part of Argyle Hose Company No. 3.

Fire department volunteers have conducted outreach efforts for churches, senior citizen groups, preschool classes, Boy and Girl Scouts, and special needs groups.

October is the biggest month for the Fire Prevention Committee, which consists of at least two delegates from each company and the Rescue Squad. During the month Golder and First Assistant Chief Paul Twardy lead firehouse tours for the youngest residents.

"The tours are intended to familiarize the community with our operations, our members, and to learn fire safety on a one-on-one basis. And let’s face it, there are very few kids that don’t love a chance to go on a fire truck," he said.

On Fire Prevention Day the fire department members bring equipment and apparatus to Babylon Memorial Grade School and Babylon Elementary School. The idea is to make kids more familiar with the gear, the techniques, and even the firefighters themselvs.

"We demonstrate putting on our turn-out gear to show the kids that we’re not all that scary. This, we hope, will help them to be less apprehensive to come to or with us if they’re in a fire emergency," said Golder, adding they even give the students some special homework.

"We tell them to get a grownup to check the smoke detectors in their homes and to practice EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home). Our puppet friends, Boots, Fire Marshal Smoke Billows, and Dodo Bird are always glad to come along on our visit to the elementary school and to help us with the fire safety lesson."

The Babylon Firehouse also hosts an open house on a fall Sunday, open to all residents interested in demonstrations on fire safety. This year's date is not yet determined. Patch will post details as they become available.