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National Fire Plan Success Story

Creating the Next Generation of Fire-Smart Kids
Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi
National Fire Plan - Community Assistance

Smokey Bear, Mark Whipps, and young students
Smokey Bear and Equipment Specialist Mark Whipps introduce students to a fire engine during a school visit. NPS photo by Scott Johnson.

Mark Whipps helps children on the Safety House for Kids
Equipment Specialist Mark Whipps stands by to help children evacuate a "burning" building during Fire Prevention Week. NPS photo by Scott Johnson.

Children from across northeast Mississippi were invited to celebrate Fire Prevention Week at Natchez Trace Parkway Headquarters in Tupelo on Friday, October 12th. The Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo Fire Department, Mississippi Forestry Commission, and Northeast Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) joined forces to teach children about fire safety both in and outside the home.

Highlights of the day included the Northeast VFDs "Safety House for Kids," a hands-on mobile exhibit designed to help children respond to fires in their homes. Children identified fire hazards, practiced escaping from a "burning" house, and rehearsed calling for help.

Wildland fire was covered by Mark Whipps, Equipment Specialist for the Fire Management Office at the Natchez Trace Parkway. Whipps talked about campfire safety, demonstrated the pump on the engine, and even conducted short math lessons with hose packs. Children were asked to lug some of the gear wildland firefighters carry while working; some of them were able to stand up with it.

Smokey Bear made an appearance, receiving hugs and serving as a reminder of the dangers of unplanned wildland fire. Children collected bags of goodies to help encourage them to be careful in the woods, including the story of Smokey Bear, an activity book, stickers, and more.

The Fire Management Office at Natchez Trace Parkway teaches fire prevention year-round, with public and school appearances on a regular basis. According to Robert Vick, Supervisory Engine Foreman for the Parkway, members of the Fire Management Office have visited eight schools this year and spoken to over 2,615 students. Sixteen parades and other community outreach events have also kept the firefighters busy.

According to the Mississippi Forestry Commission, 1,197 wildland fires have occurred in northeast Mississippi in 2007. Of those, 1,051, or nearly 88%, were started by people or their activities. "The only way we are going to cut back on the number of wildfires is to educate people," Whipps said, "I just hope the kids - and their parents - remember a few of the things we've tried to teach them here today."

Contact: Mark Whipps, Equipment Specialist, Phone: (662) 840-7574