Newtown Square Firefighters Bring Engine 41 to Preschoolers for Annual Safety Visit

NEWTOWN SQUARE — Firefighters from the Newtown Square Fire Company rolled Engine 41 into the parking lot at the Marple Newtown Leisure Center on Wednesday morning for their annual fire prevention visit with kindergarteners and preschoolers at Kids Stop.

Children gathered around the red pumper, getting an up-close look at the truck and its equipment while firefighters talked about fire safety. As they explored the truck, the children asked question after question, keeping the firefighters busy with answers.

The visit is part of the company’s yearly outreach to the township’s youngest residents.

The timing follows National Fire Prevention Week, observed Oct. 4 to 10 this year, when fire departments across the country visit schools to teach children how to prevent fires and stay safe. This year’s national theme, “Charge into Fire Safety,” focused on the safe charging of lithium-ion batteries in phones, laptops and e-bikes, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

The Newtown Square Fire Company, Delaware County’s Station 41, serves Newtown Township. Its fire prevention visits give children a chance to meet firefighters face to face and see the gear they use, a first step in teaching kids not to fear firefighters in an emergency.

For many of the children, seeing a real fire engine up close and hearing a firefighter explain the truck’s hoses, ladders and lights is the most memorable fire safety lesson of the year.