SAUGUS — Families gathered at the Saugus Iron Works to receive a fire safety lesson from the Saugus Fire Department and hear a reading of “Fire Chief Fran” by Linda Ashman, in collaboration with the Saugus Public Library.

The story follows Chief Fran through a regular day on the job for a firefighter helping rescue people and put out fires.

Once the reading was done, Capt. Bill Cross spoke to everyone at the event about what to do in the event of a fire.

“That book touched a lot on what we do. Firefighters don’t just go to fires. We do a lot of different things,” he said.

Cross asked how many children in the audience wanted to be firefighters when they grew up, and hands shot up.

“Ok, so here’s the thing, you have to do good in school. You’ve got to try really hard and stay out of trouble. … Listen to your parents. Listen to your teachers. Be a good person, and we’ll teach you all the rest,” he said.

Cross asked the audience if anyone knew what to do if their clothes caught on fire. Amaya, a young girl in the audience, was chosen to demonstrate the steps to stop, drop, and roll.

“When we roll, what are we taking away from the fire?” Cross asked, getting a quick answer of “oxygen” from a few children.

Cross told the audience that Amaya was at a campfire roasting marshmallows when, all of a sudden, her shirt caught on fire. He guided Amaya through the steps of kneeling, covering her face, and rolling to put the fire out.

He then showed everyone a smoke detector, explaining how they work, and the package states to check it once a week to make sure it’s operating properly.

“We know no one’s checking them once a week,” he joked, “but we do have to make sure we check them.”

Cross said that if the detector goes off, the first thing they want to do is get low and head to the door.

“I come over to my door. Do I feel the door with the palm of my hand or the back of my hand?” he asked.

A majority of the audience knew to feel the door with the back of their hand, because feeling it with the palm of their hand causes a natural reaction to stay and hold on to the handle, leading to possible burns.

“The door is cool, excellent. I’m going to crack the door and take a look. It’s clear, even better. I’m going to stay low to the floor and get outside,” he said.

Cross explained that all households should have a family meeting spot. This not only helps families figure out who is safe, but also can tell firefighters if they need to rescue someone.

He said that if the scenario is different and you feel the handle and it is hot, you should find a cloth, sweatshirt, pillow case, or a similar object and wave it out the window to tell firefighters you are stuck.

“I don’t open the door. That door is giving me more time and keeping the fire away,” he said.

Firefighter Sean Bohannon then got dressed in his gear, with Cross pointing out the different pieces and the most important parts that help firefighters stay safe. Once he was dressed, he walked around the crowd, high-fiving everyone.

Cross noted the importance of children feeling safe around firefighters in full gear, even if they look scary and “sound like Darth Vader.”

At the end, children were given their own firefighter helmets and the chance to take pictures on a firetruck.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

The Saugus Fire Department met with families at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday to read to children and teach them about fire safety.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Saugus Fire Department Cpt. Billy Cross reads "Fire Chief Fran" to children and their families as the department teaches about fire safety at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Amaya demonstrates her "stop, drop, and roll" technique as the Saugus Fire Department teaches children and their families about fire safety at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Saugus Fire Department Cpt. Billy Cross makes sure everyone child gathered at Saugus Iron Works knows what a fire alarm is.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Saugus Firefighter Sean Bohannon waves to the children gathered at Saugus Iron Works as Fire Cpt. Billy Cross tells them not to be afraid of a fully greared up firefighter.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Saugus Firefighter Sean Bohannon makes his way around Saugus Iron Works, giving all the children high-fives so they hopefully won't be scared of a geared-up firefighter in the case of an emergency.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Saugus Firefighter Sean Bohannon gives Louis Arone a high-five as he makes his way around Saugus Iron Works during fire safety day.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Families had a chance to get a close look at Saugus Fire Department's Engine 4 during fire safety day at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Vincenzo Natale gets to sit in the back of Saugus Fire Department's Engine 4 during fire safety day at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Kevin McBride gets to "drive" Saugus Fire Department's Engine Four during fire safety day at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Saugus Fire Department's Anthony Arone helps Marina Mojica, of Saugus, hold an axe during fire safety day at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Dominic Mojica, of Saugus, gets a close look at Saugus Fire Department's Engine 4 during fire safety day at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Dominic Mojica, of Saugus, gets to hold a firefighters axe during fire safety day at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday.

Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo

Massimo Manuele, of Saugus, is all smiles as he wears a Saugus Fire Department helmet during fire safety day at Saugus Iron Works on Thursday.

Related posts:

Saugus develops Science Heroes Wild times roar at the Saugus Public Library A novel take on fashion in Saugus Saugus kept in the dark on lithium battery park