The CAL FIRE VIP (Volunteers in Prevention) program began in the early 1980’s targeting 7 different high fire areas. Though the area nearest to Copper that is targeted is Amador and El Dorado Counties, the CAL FIRE VIP team tries to visit as many schools as possible in the surrounding areas with their message of fire safety and prevention.
On Friday a team of three volunteers from the CAL FIRE VIP program and one from the Forest Service visited Copperopolis Elementary with none other than Smokey the Bear himself. Lead by CAL FIRE VIP head Nancy Longemore, volunteers Charle Berry and Stacey Nolan represented CAL FIRE and Danielle Kissinger a fire prevention technician represented the Forest Service. Smokey and the volunteers engaged the children, ages K through 3rd grade, in real life scenarios ranging from how to dial 911 and what to say to the operator, to teaching the children sign language that correlated to Smokey’s updated motto, “Don’t play with matches, lighters, or fire.”
Smokey high fived some kids and hugged others while they learned the value of fire awareness and fire safety.
CAL FIRE VIP Stacey Nolan said “The best part of being involved in the program is being able to interact with the students and teaching them Smokey’s fire rules and getting them all pumped up about the importance of fire safety.”
According to CAL FIRE, “History has shown that when VIP teams provide fire prevention teaching in grades K-3rd, child-related fires in those areas have dropped by 50 percent. In addition, VIPs educate thousands of children and their parents about fire prevention by participating in fairs, displays, and parades each year. Volunteers are trained to make preliminary wildland homeowner property inspections for fire safety as required by Public Resources Code 4291, and to discuss with homeowners ways to make their homes fire safe. These one-on-one contacts are an increasingly important education tool as the population in California's wildlands continues to grow.”
By, Charity Maness
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