Students make plans to escape

Grade 3, 4, 5 students at Sonrise Christian Academy show off their T-shirts with Sparky the Fire Dog and Fire Prevention Officer Mike Branscombe

The Prince Edward County fire department rewarded students at Sonrise Christian Academy with a pizza party – in thanks for helping their families with a fire safety plan.

As part of this year’s Fire Prevention Week, students in County schools were asked to develop family escape plans, while educating their family about fire safety. The pizza party was provided to the school with the highest percentage of escape plans created.

Prince Edward County’s Fire Prevention Officer, Mike Branscombe, visited 12 local schools, educating students about fire prevention in the kitchen. He challenged students to take what they learned home to create a fire escape plan for their own home and family. In total, nearly 100 students developed plans.

“Education and preparation are key to fire safety and prevention,” said Branscombe. “I’d like to thank the 12 participating schools for joining in and acknowledging the importance of teaching fire safety in schools.”

“The students were excited to complete and hand in their home escape plans,” said Sonrise Christian Academy principal, Julie Scrivens. “This initiative on the part of the fire department is a great strategy to encourage families to start the conversation about fire safety and prevention in their homes.”

In addition to a pizza lunch from Prince Edward Pizza in Picton, Sparky the Fire Dog presented each student with a special fire safety t-shirt.