At first glance, he’s a little intimidating. Most of his face is covered and frequent bursts of air shoot into the oxygen mask.
To a kid it can be scary, but breaking down the fear may help save a life.
The person wearing the firefighter’s uniform is there to help. That is the lesson hundreds of students at the Camdenton school district have been given this week.
Decked out in heavy bunker gear from the red helmet down to the black boots, Camdenton Fire Department Captain Drew Stark wanted to send a clear message.
On behalf of National Fire Safety Week, the firefighter visited nearly 40 classrooms in an attempt to get to know the students before there is a real emergency.
“We try to introduce them to us in a calm atmosphere so when we do have an emergency they have an idea of what we look like and sound like,” Stark said. “So many kids never get to see a fireman up close and dressed like that. We almost look like a monster because we look bigger and sound different.”
One by one, he explains each piece of equipment, what it does and puts it on until he is completely covered and ready to fight a fire.
It is a demonstration completed every year from preschool through first grade.
Each time, the kids develop a certain level of trust and become comfortable with the “monster” behind the mask.
While Stark made personal appearances to dozens of classrooms, second and third grade students were given information about what to do in case of an emergency.
Contact this reporter at charisp@lakesunleader.com