Bart Township Fire Company serves a large geographical area of southeastern Lancaster County, with a high percentage of the population being Amish. Unlike the public school system, Amish schools have small schools scattered throughout the area to serve a smaller amount of children, usually somewhere around 30 scholars per school.
In BTFC's coverage area, there are approximately 30 Amish schools. With this many schools, providing fire prevention programs and information to all of the students in our coverage area can be difficult to accomplish.
Over the past two days, BTFC provided a Fire Prevention and Safety program at our station for the Amish Schools to attend. BTFC coordinated a charter bus to go around to the schools and transport the scholars, as well as parents and teachers, to BTFC for the program. During the program, the scholars got to see our apparatus and the tools we carry, try on firefighter coats and helmets, spray water from a fire hose and learn about fire prevention and safety.
23 Amish schools from our coverage area were able to attend the program over the last two days. This total included 642 scholars, and 98 teachers or parents for a total of 740 people who had the opportunity to learn more about BTFC, fire safety and have some fun!
Thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers who contributed numerous hours of planning and preparation leading up to this event, as well as over the last two days during the program. Thanks also to the local businesses who covered the expense of the charter bus!
The best fire prevention is public education!