Students at John Quincy Adams and May Moore learned about fire safety on recent visits from the Deer Park Fire Department, designed in conjunction with national Fire Prevention Month.

“It’s okay to be afraid, because you’re supposed to be afraid of fire,” Assistant Chief Phil Scarfi told the children during the assemblies. “I will teach you ways to protect your family.” Scarfi, who has been conducting Deer Park’s fire safety workshops for decades, emphasized the “three Ps” – preventing a fire, planning in case of fire and practicing the plan – and discussed ways that the students could avoid fires happening in the home, and important topics such as candle safety and the proper use of smoke alarms.

Following Scarfi’s indoor presentations, students at both schools were able to go outside and see one of the department’s fire trucks in action, shooting water from the fire hose into the sky, and to meet local firefighters and take an up-close look at the engine.

“A big thanks to the Deer Park Fire Department,” said JQA Principal Christine Criscione. “It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to visit with some true local heroes.”