When a smoke detector blared at a home in Oconomowoc on Oct. 18, a second‑grader named Blake didn’t panic. He remembered the fire‑prevention lesson taught by Western Lakes firefighters at St. Jerome Parish School only 48 hours earlier and followed the steps exactly.
Lesson learned in the classroom
On Oct. 16, Western Lakes Fire District Assistant Chief Joseph Hoffman visited St. Jerome Parish School as part of a regular fire‑prevention program for kindergarten and second‑grade students. The firefighters demonstrated how to recognize a smoke alarm, how to locate exits from every room, and where to meet outside the home in an emergency.
“We teach kids to get out as fast as possible when they hear a smoke alarm or smell smoke, and to have a designated meeting place,” Hoffman explained. The program also included testing the school’s smoke alarms.
Quick action saves a family
Later that week, a pot left unattended on Blake’s stove ignited, filling the house with smoke. Blake immediately recalled the instruction to stay low, exit quickly, and head to the family’s pre‑arranged meeting spot at a nearby lamppost. He guided his family out of the house without delay.
His grandfather, who lived next door, responded with a fire extinguisher and extinguished the flames before fire crews arrived, Hoffman said.
Recognition from the fire district
Impressed by the boy’s composure, the Western Lakes Fire District returned to St. Jerome Parish School on Friday with a surprise. Chief Hoffman presented Blake with the Western Lakes Fire District Certificate of Excellence and announced plans for a formal awards ceremony.
“Blake knew exactly what to do – he paid attention and applied what he learned,” Hoffman said. “That should be recognized.” Blake’s family declined to speak with FOX6 News, but the district’s acknowledgment underscores the value of early fire‑safety education.
Fire‑prevention month and ongoing outreach
October is fire‑prevention month, and the Western Lakes Fire District used the occasion to visit 14 schools and childcare sites, reaching more than 1,700 students with similar lessons.
Hoffman reminded residents to test their own smoke detectors, noting that many units are hard‑wired yet still contain a battery that can fail.
As daylight‑saving time ended Sunday, the fire district encouraged the community to check detectors and practice evacuation routes, reinforcing the life‑saving impact of the program demonstrated by Blake’s quick response.
Original reporting: FOX6 WITI – local news — read the source article.
