• Article Photo. Second grade students watch as Luke Henkle demonstrates the aerial ladder truck.
    Second grade students watch as Luke Henkle demonstrates the aerial ladder truck.
  • Article Photo. The students look up at the 110-foot ladder.
    The students look up at the 110-foot ladder.
  • Article Photo. Josh McGowan explains how firemen use the large ladder.
    Josh McGowan explains how firemen use the large ladder.
  • Article Photo. Josh McGogan shows second grade students the saw firefighters use to cut holes in a roof.
    Josh McGogan shows second grade students the saw firefighters use to cut holes in a roof.
  • Article Photo. A reminder of the flood that damaged the fire station...
    A reminder of the flood that damaged the fire station...
  • Article Photo. Katie Lewis lets Luke Henkle know where she is as he demonstrates rescue from a smoke-filled room.
    Katie Lewis lets Luke Henkle know where she is as he demonstrates rescue from a smoke-filled room.
  • Article Photo. The students received flags to wave during their ride.
    The students received flags to wave during their ride.
  • Article Photo. Mrs. Mathis' students wave from the fire truck.
    Mrs. Mathis' students wave from the fire truck.
  • Article Photo. Tilford students enjoyed the ride on the fire truck.
    Tilford students enjoyed the ride on the fire truck.
  • Article Photo. Celebrating Fire Prevention Week means a fire truck ride for first-grade students.
    Celebrating Fire Prevention Week means a fire truck ride for first-grade students.
  • Article Photo. Firefighters help children climb the ladder to the top of the truck.
    Firefighters help children climb the ladder to the top of the truck.
  • Article Photo. First grade students wave their flags from the fire truck as their ride around Vinton begins.
    First grade students wave their flags from the fire truck as their ride around Vinton begins.

      The rain stopped just in time Tueday afternoon to allow the first grade students their ride on the fire trucks. School leaders had just decided to cancel the traditional Fire Prevention Week event when the rain ended, allowing the students the chance to see their school and other parts of Vinton from atop a fire truck. Three trucks full of first graders made their way from the school to downtown Vinton. 

      Second grade students toured the fire station, where they saw a demonstration of how firemen look for people during a fire, as well as the equipment the firefighters use. 

       Firefighter Josh McGowan and Luke Henkle told the students that in a smoke-filled room, firemen cannot see anything, so they must work their way around a room, from right to left, keeping one hand on the wall. They told the students that it's best when trapped in a room to wait at the door, or if its not possible to get to the door, to stay near the wall.