Temple students climbed inside Philadelphia fire trucks and learned about fire safety as firefighters explained the tools and training behind their work.
Philadelphia firefighters invited the Temple community to tour fire trucks and learn about safety at the university’s first annual Fire Prevention Day.
Photo by Betsy Manning
On a sunny October afternoon, student Obsa Kedir jumped into the front seat of a Philadelphia Fire Department truck, surrounded by switches, screens and gear most people only ever see speeding past with sirens blaring.
“It’s incredible to see all the tools they have to protect us and to respond to calls so quickly,” said Kedir, a first-year master’s student in choral conducting from Minneapolis.
Kedir was one of many students who climbed aboard a fire engine and a ladder truck as part of Temple University’s first annual Fire Prevention Day, coordinated by Temple’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and in partnership with the Philadelphia Fire Department, as part of Fire Prevention Month.
Joshua Nussbaum, deputy director of OEM, said the goal was to provide the Temple community with safety tips and ways to prevent fires.
“Temple Police, our fire marshals, the Philadelphia Fire Department and the Office of Emergency Management all work tirelessly to keep our community safer,” Nussbaum said. “By looking out for one another and taking simple steps to prevent emergencies, we can all make a difference.”
At Temple's first Fire Prevention Day, students and faculty were reminded to check smoke alarms and report issues.
Photo by Betsy Manning
Many students said their biggest surprise was how much goes into a fire apparatus.
“This was the first time I ever took a look inside a fire truck, and it’s a lot more complicated than I thought,” said Samira Jackson, a Class of 2030 pre-nursing major and Philadelphia native.
Brian Keech, Temple’s vice president for government and community relations, also got an up-close look at the equipment firefighters rely on to do their jobs, from protective jackets and boots to masks and helmets.
“Being inside a fire truck was an amazing experience,” Keech said. "It’s wonderful to see both our campus community and city partners come together for this hands-on learning experience during Fire Prevention Month.”
Firefighters walked Brian Keech, Temple’s vice president for government and community relations, through all the gear firefighters wear, from jackets and masks to helmets and boots.
Photo by Betsy Manning
Philadelphia Fire Department Executive Chief Daniel McCarty said the fire department works in close partnership with Temple. He urged everyone to check their homes for working smoke alarms on every floor, and to learn about the risks of lithium-ion batteries, especially as e-scooters become more common.
“It starts with education, preparation and looking out for one another,” McCarty said.
Temple students climb inside Philadelphia fire trucks and learned about equipment, like the Jaws of Life, at the university’s first Fire Prevention Day.
Photo by Betsy Manning
Nussbaum reminded students, especially those in residence halls, to not light candles, turn the oven off when finished using it and to make sure smoke detectors are working.
“Fire safety often comes down to the small steps we take every day,” Nussbaum said. “By staying mindful of potential hazards and making sure our alarms are working, we can help protect ourselves, our roommates and our neighbors.”
