The Kindersley Fire Department welcomed 47 play school students into their fire hall to teach them the basics of fire safety. Firefighters and their mascot, Burny Beaver, took to Westberry Elementary in Kindersley to speak to a few pre-k and grade three students as well. 

Captain Mitch Hope is responsible for public education with the department and said all the kids were extremely receptive to the lessons, many of whom remember from previous years' teachings by the members. With some of the kids being quite young, he said they can sometimes be timid and may have a misconception of firefighters, therefore, first and foremost they show and tell the kids they are just normal people ... wearing a lot of big clothing.

Hope stated after they establish they aren't big mean guys, they emphasize the "get out and stay out" rule, teaching the kids to get out of the home or structure on fire and if you can't to go to a window and stay there. He said this is where he and his fellow firefighters will look to first when arriving on scene and can then rescue the child from the home. 

Though he said all the kids caught on very quick or already knew the protocols, he said the education needs to continue at home as well.

"If a fire does strike, what happens next needs to be second nature, they need to know what to do without thinking about it," said Hope. Making sure everyone in the family knows the escape plan is vital and also having someone kids can go to, a neighbor or otherwise, if by chance they are home alone. Other necessary information your child should be equipped with to help ensure safety is knowing who to call for help, their address including legal land description if living outside of town. 

Hope said it was a fun-filled day and even the most shy kids were giving high-fives to all the firefighters when they left.