Local student names new fire dept. K-9

By Kristina Story

TIFTON May 20, 2008 08:24 pm

— Tift County fourth, fifth, and six graders competed in a fire safety contest held this month to name the new fire department canine that is expected to arrive in Tifton during the month of September.
Out of the 10 to 15 names submitted from Charles Spencer Elementary students, the one selected was “Ash.” Ash was named by fourth-grader, Shanteria White. Ash will be the fourth arson canine in the state.
“We wanted to get the children in the community involved,” said John Oxendine, State Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.
State Farm insurance company donates the dogs and pays for the eight-week training in Maine for the canines. Each one of the professionally trained canines cost an estimated $23,000.
“Arson canines are the best way to find arson and to catch the arsonist,” said Oxendine.
During the presentation at Charles Spencer Elementary held on Monday, Lt. Ty Morman gave a demonstration on fire safety.
Morman placed accelerant in several spots in the gym. Then he brought in his canine partner “Bonnie” to show the children how important the canines are to the fire department.
One of the fire prevention activities planned allowed students to walk through a bus called the Fire Safety House. It is two stories tall with a bedroom, kitchen and a living room. It was filled with artificial smoke. This allowed the students to practice exit drills, “get out and stay out,” and allowed them to hear what home fire alarm sounds like.
“The easiest way to prevent injury during a fire is to educate,” said firefighter Nathan Hawkins.
The Fire Safety House is owned and operated by the State Fire Marshal’s office. They have three in the state.
The goal was to educate the children and have them take that information home with them.

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