Danny Woodard, a WAC student, learns how to put on a turnout suit while Anthony McGee and Chad Gardner, Weir Volunteer Fire Department volunteers, explain how each piece protects them in a fire.

The Choctaw Plaindealer

Children learn not to play with matches, how to stop, drop and roll and various other fire safety methods but it isn't everyday they get to see the equipment firemen use to put out fires.

During National Fire Safety Week the Weir Volunteer Fire Department taught children at Weir Attendance Center about their tools and basic fire safety skills.

Anthony McGee, Weir VFD chief and a teacher at WAC, said the number one thing he wants children to learn is not to be afraid of firemen and to never go back into a burning structure.

"Number one is for them not to be afraid of us. You would be surprised how many kids are scared of us," said McGee.

He said younger children know firemen are their friends but the turnout and other equipment scares them and the children hide.

For older children, he wants them to know to never go back inside of a burning building.

"Don't go back inside the house for your toys, pet or anything else," said McGee to class.

WAC students watched McGee put his turnout gear on-helmet, boots, gloves, air pack and listened to him talk to see there is nothing to be afraid of.

Volunteers from each class tried on the turnout to see what it is like to wear the uniform.

As part of the turnout, McGee explained how firemen breathe in a fire with the air packs.

"We have our own backpacks to play with," said McGee when demonstrating how to put on the air pack.

McGee and Chad Gardener, a Weir volunteer fireman and WAC teacher, explained what each tool, such as axes, were used for and allowed the children to walk through the truck to understand it.

Using a "big can opener" and "big scissors" was described to teach the children and the jaw of life to help save someone in a car accident.

"What do ya'll open a can with at home," asked McGee. When the children responded with a can opener he said the jaws of life is like a big can opener to pull back a piece of a car to save someone, if needed.

One of the last things, students learned was how to operate the fire hose.

McGee held the hose, with the help of three students and allowed them to spray the hose into a wooded area across the street. The last class of the day had a little extra fun and sprayed a teacher's car.

All volunteer fire departments operate with donated funds. Fundraisers help buy new equipment and volunteer firemen ask their communities to support them.

"We can use any help we can get," said Gardener.