SFD Highlights Fire Safety Month With Visit to Library

Sedalia Public Library patrons got to meet three Sedalia Firefighters, a Sedalia Policeman and Freddy The Fire Truck Saturday morning during a Fire Safety Event held at 4th and Moniteau.

“Fire Safety Week is pretty important to us,” stated Firefighter and Engineer Bradley Burton. “This is something that we do. We actually go the whole month of October, where we go visit schools. We do events like this where we get out and talk to the kids, about safety around fire. It’s for us to get out into the community. We enjoy seeing how happy the kids are, running around “Feddy” and teaching them what they need to do in the event of a fire, who to call, etc.,” Burton said.

The Sedalia Fire Department is appearing at every elementary school in the city this month, as October is Fire Prevention Month. The goal of Fire Prevention Month (and week October 6th - 12th) is to raise fire safety awareness and help protect homes and families. In 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) named the second week of October Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.

“For instance, we took this truck across town to Skyline the other day where my sister teaches, to talk to her class,” Burton said. “They always get a kick out of it. Kids love seeing the truck.”

One kid who was really enjoying the chance to interact with a firefighter Saturday morning was Ben Asbury, grandson of Mari Asbury. Seven-year-old Ben asked Firefighter Alex Tsurkan (originally from Moldova) some really good questions about the equipment on the truck and also received a sticker which he promptly affixed to his shirt.

“I was your age when I came to America,” Tsurkan, who is also an EMT, told Ben.

“Cool!” Mari Asbury said. “And see? Now he’s a fireman! You can be whatever you want.”

Sedalia Library Director Jamie Sparks said that she has been promoting fire safety awareness at the library this week.

Sparks said the fire department is great to work with and this is the second event they have appeared at during her tenure as director.

“They’re always awesome about coming out and spreading awareness, and working with the library to create great events,” Sparks told KSIS.

“(Firefighter) Jacob (Carver) is awesome, he’s donated his books to us, he comes and reads to the kids,” Sparks said.

Also on hand at the event was Sedalia Police Officer Nick Camirand.

The next big event for the Sedalia Public Library is “Pumpkinpalooza” on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon.

“We will have pumpkins that families can come out and decorate, paint and just have fun,” Sparks noted. “And then we will be downtown for the Trick Or Treating event on the 31st.  We will be handing out candy as well. So look for the library downtown from 3 to 5 p.m,” she said, adding that Sedalia Public Library will partner with City of Sedalia for that event.