There were plenty of smiles, excited questions, and maybe a few future firefighters at Norris Elementary School on October 8th! Nearly 500 students in preschool through second grade participated in the school’s first Fire Safety Day, learning important safety skills from some very special community guests.

Volunteers from the Hickman and Firth Volunteer Fire Departments spent the day teaching students about fire safety, emergency preparedness, and the important work of first responders. Students explored fire trucks and ambulances, learned about firefighting equipment, and even heard from a 911 dispatcher about what happens when someone calls for help.

For first grader Cayden Byrne, getting an up-close look at the equipment was especially exciting. “I really loved going inside the fire truck because I have never been inside a fire truck before!” 

Classmate Lillian Horsky took away an important lesson: “I learned that when I get hurt I can call and the EMT’s can come help me.”

The event was organized by first-grade teacher, Miss Lexi Ryan, whose inspiration came from her own childhood experiences attending fire safety activities in her hometown. “Growing up in a small town, I remember walking to the fire hall for Fire Safety Day. It was always such a fun and memorable experience, and I learned so much from those visits,” Ryan shared.

Working with Hickman Fire & Rescue volunteer Erin Lutz, who is a registered nurse and the EMS Captain for the department, Ryan helped bring that experience to Norris students, with volunteers from both Hickman and Firth participating.

For Ryan, the day represented something bigger than simply learning about fire safety. “This day was about more than fire safety. It was about creating an opportunity for students to learn from their community, build connections, and make memories that they will hopefully carry with them for years to come.”

That community connection is equally important to the volunteers who serve our local families.

“One of the most valuable things for us is being able to connect with students outside of an emergency,” explained Lutz. “We want our community to know who we are, feel comfortable approaching us, and understand that we are here to help.”

Lutz also hopes the lessons extend beyond the school day, encouraging families to discuss emergency plans, role play calling 911, identify safe meeting places, and make sure children know their home addresses.

Events like Fire Safety Day demonstrate what makes the Norris community special. Our schools are strengthened by the people who invest their time, talents, and energy in our students. Partnerships with local organizations, like our local fire departments, help bring learning to life in ways a classroom alone cannot.

Norris School District extends a heartfelt thank-you to the Hickman and Firth Volunteer Fire Departments, including the firefighters, EMTs, and emergency dispatcher who shared their time and expertise with our students. Special thanks to Erin Lutz for helping coordinate the departments’ participation and Miss Lexi Ryan for bringing this wonderful experience to our elementary school.

While the fire trucks may have been the stars of the show, it is the people behind them and the lessons learned that endure well beyond Fire Safety Day that truly made this event (pardon the gen alpha pun) “fire!”