2015 Fire Marshal's Challenge to Fire Departments

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin will help West Virginia’s firefighters kick off a Read-Aloud campaign aimed at the state’s schoolchildren during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4–10, 2015.

 

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has provided fire departments and county school systems across West Virginia with books featuring Sparky the Fire Safety Dog. Firefighters are to visit the schools they protect to read these safety-themed books to students in Kindergarten through 5th grade.

 

The First Lady plans to read to children at Piedmont Elementary in Charleston on Monday, Oct. 5 at 10:30 a.m. as part of this campaign. She will be joined by W.Va. State Fire Marshal Ken Tyree and Charleston firefighters.

 

“I am thrilled to participate in this exciting celebration, as it highlights some of my highest priorities as First Lady,” First Lady Tomblin said. “It is my hope that this event will serve as a catalyst to help students to develop a love for reading, as well as a way to open dialogue with families about fire safety at home and school.”

 

Among several lessons, the books teach children the importance of installing working smoke detectors and developing a home safety plan that includes multiple escape routes and a designated outside meeting place.

 

“I’m very appreciative of First Lady Tomblin’s participation in this advocacy for fire-safe communities centered on the future, our children,” Tyree said.

 

Sparky the Fire Dog (http://www.sparky.org) is the official mascot of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA also provides other resources at http://www.nfpa.org. The theme of Fire Prevention Week this year is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep,” to stress the importance of a working smoke detector in every bedroom.