Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 20, 1990 TAG: 9003172339
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV8 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"Learn Not To Burn," a fire prevention and safety program, will be used countywide by students in kindergarten through fifth grades.
"It's to ensure that kids cover all the bases of fire prevention," said Don Cromer, a fire prevention officer for Blacksburg and a Christiansburg police officer.
The supervisors allocated $4,000 for materials and 94 teaching manuals. The county Fire Protection Association, which has worked with county schools to provide lessons to elementary school children, will be seeking an additional $5,000 in volunteer contributions.
The goal of the program, which was introduced by the National Fire Protection Association, is to bring teachers and firefighters together on fire safety.
The program has been designed to supplement existing subjects, such as physical education and health, or it can be used as a complete educational unit by itself.
"This will also help free up the firefighters," Cromer said. "Now we only have to go to the schools when the lesson requires it."
"Our volunteers are strained for time," said Christiansburg Fire Chief Jim Epperly. "This program can help in fire prevention and do a good job with it."
Cromer said a committee will be created and a representative from each fire department will help teachers with any problems they may have setting up the program.
Teacher workshops will be organized through the National Fire Protection Association, which plans to spread the program throughout the state.
"This is a very positive and progressive first step," said Epperly. "We're very enthusiastic about it."
by CNB