SFD visits Shenandoah Valley Elementary for fire prevention week
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Shenandoah firefighter Tom O'Connor discusses firefighting and fire safety with a group of Shenandoah Valley Elementary 2nd graders on Oct. 8, 2025.
SHENANDOAH – This week is Fire Prevention Week, and the Shenandoah Fire Department stopped by the elementary center Wednesday morning to teach students about what they do and how to stay safe in a fire.
Elementary schoolers in Pre-K through 3rd Grade were given a close-up look at the fire apparatus of the department as well as equipment.
Firefighters demonstrated some of the equipment, too.
Students were given fire safety tips and guidance on how to stay safe in a fire.
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Shenandoah firefighter John Desjardine leads a group of students. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Shenandoah firefighter Brian Oliver demonstrates spreaders. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Shenandoah firefighter Tom O’Connor leads a group of students.
According to the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, house fires claim more lives in a year than all natural disasters combined.
They remind folks to test your smoke alarms monthly and practice a fire escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes.
“Home fires can occur at any time,” said Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania. “The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. This is critical because fire experts say you may have less than two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late.”
Tips for creating your home fire escape plan and practicing your 2-minute drill:
- Everyone in your household should know two ways to escape from each room in your home.
- Smoke is dangerous. Get low and go!
- Decide where to meet once you get outside. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as a neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.
- Get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people, pets or things.
- If a fire starts, you may have less than two minutes to get to safety. Time your fire drill and find out: what’s your escape time?
- While practicing your escape plan, teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.
Smoke alarm safety:
- Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
- In addition to testing your alarms once a month, change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.
- Also check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
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