Junior Fire Patrol is a hot
topic at Meehan Middle School

By Jon Campisi
Times Staff Writer

The students were happy because they got a reprieve from class for a couple of hours, and the seniors were pleased to see the youngsters putting their newfound knowledge to the test.
On April 28, about 30 seventh-graders from the Austin Meehan Middle School stopped by the JCC Raymond and Miriam Klein Branch in Bustleton to discuss fire safety for senior citizens.
Between 60 and 80 seniors attended the presentation, which called on the youngsters to describe what they’ve learned thus far in the yearlong Junior Fire Patrol program, sponsored jointly by the Philadelphia Fire Department, the University of Pennsylvania and the School District of Philadelphia.
"These kids have been learning about fire safety in the home, school and community," Michele Gusdorff told the crowd of seniors at the start of the program.
Gusdorff has been working with the Junior Fire Patrol program for 25 years. She previously led the program at the Benjamin Rush Middle School and now teaches fire safety at Austin Meehan. The students who took part last week learn fire safety every Tuesday during their social-studies period.
"I thought it was going to be boring at first, but it’s actually really fun," seventh-grader Alexis Jenofsky said of the program.
Jenofsky was lucky in that her class was chosen for this year’s fire patrol at Austin Meehan. The program is offered only to a limited number of classes in schools throughout the district during the school year, Gusdorff said.
The lessons students take home with them after the lengthy course are more precious than any others they may receive because these have real-world application, she explained.
"These are skills for life that we’re teaching the kids," Gusdorff said. "These are things that the kids can take home and actually use and take out in the community and teach their families."
During its 51-year existence, the Junior Fire Patrol program has instilled youngsters with important knowledge about fire safety and prevention, this was the first time students have imparted what they’ve learned to others.
And if the reaction was any testament to the job they did, the students should be commended.
"I have to tell you, your kids did an excellent job," Martha Moser told Gusdorff after the presentation.
Moser, a retired school librarian, particularly praised the video portion of the program, during which seniors were shown fire-safety tips on tape. The sound effects, such as crackling flames, benefited those in the crowd with vision difficulties.
Leah Eisenberg, who lives at the Imperial Manor retirement home on Krewstown Road, also commended the students for a job well done.
"I think they were delightful," she said after the program. "The children are very nice, and they’re learning."
Eisenberg, who is approaching 80, said residents of her building are continually made aware of the dangers of fires, and undergo regular practice runs to prepare for an escape.
"I’m very educated and quite aware," she said.
Just the same, for some seniors, mobility can become a problem, especially during a fire. So 12-year-old Michael Vargas had some words of wisdom for his wiser elders.
"If you have any physical disabilities, make your escape plan around your ailment," he said.
Each student went to the front of the room and delivered fire-safety tips to the crowd. Some spoke about the importance of working smoke detectors while others cautioned against known fire-starters, such as smoking in bed. One student advised against wearing loose clothing while cooking in the kitchen, since the garments can, and often do, catch fire.
Firefighter Tina Peterson, of the fire prevention division of the Philadelphia Fire Department, began the program with some statistics. To her, the most unacceptable is that there are about 6,000 fire-related deaths each year in this country.
"Really, that’s so unnecessary," she said, noting that deaths often can be prevented by simple measures.
"We can’t control fires, but we can control how prepared we are in the house. We find that those who are prepared, those who practice the home-escape plan, are the ones who are able to get out."
Asked after the presentation what he’d learned during his time with the Junior Fire Patrol, 13-year-old Markel Hopkins said he now knows how to change smoke detector batteries, and how often he should do it.
Gusdorff said the University of Pennsylvania provides the money to buy supplies for the Junior Fire Patrol program, such as baseball caps and membership cards for the students, as well as materials to make scrapbooks that the students compile at the end of the year to illustrate what they’ve learned.
When the program commences, the graduates of the program participate in an awards luncheon where various honors are given out to Junior Fire Patrols across the city in different categories.
Firefighter Tom Sroka, also with the department’s fire prevention division, said the number of city schools that participate in the program varies from year to year. About 15 took part this year.
Junior Fire Patrol educators, or "sponsors" such as Gusdorff, deliver the lessons using fire-safety manuals provided by the department. Over the years, Sroka said, the department has allowed civilians with the proper training to lead the classes alongside trained firefighters.
In Sroka’s mind, the program has been a hit for both its educational and recreational qualities. Besides learning important lessons, students "get out of school for a couple of hours without pulling the fire alarm," he said jokingly. ••
Reporter Jon Campisi can be reached at 215-354-3038 or jcampisi@phillynews.com