The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is stressing the importance of school fire drills amid a rise in residential fires in the city. While the visits are routine, they are also vital in that they help reinforce the importance of planning and rehearsing an escape plan in the event of an emergency. The CFD says the need for fire safety awareness is greater now more than ever, with fires at single-family homes up 28 per cent in September compared to the same time last year. All schools in Calgary have to complete six drills a year, with firefighters attending one of those drills. On Thursday, firefighters joined representatives from the Calgary Catholic School District at St. Elizabeth Seton School for a fire drill. Fire chief Steve Dongworth and newly appointed junior fire chief Kean Hallisey activated the fire alarm in the school, ensuring that it worked, while helping children and staff get out of the building safely. “CFD is actively working with all the schools in Calgary to teach children about the importance of fire safety and practising escape plans at home with their families,” Dongworth said. “We’re helping students to build habits that protect themselves, their families and their schools.” Dongworth said Hallisey “performed excellently” in his role as junior fire chief. Thursday’s fire drill was at the Grade 8 student’s own school. “In case of a real emergency, every kid should know how to get out safely and calmly,” Hallisey said. He also stressed the importance of developing a home escape plan with your family. “You should have two escapes for every room, and you should have a meeting plan pretty far away from your house so you can stay safe,” he said, adding that you should practise your escape plan at least twice a year. To learn more about school fire drills in Calgary, you can visit the City of Calgary’s website.
