House on Wheels

The Martinsburg Firefighters have proudly worked in conjunction with the Berkeley County Office of Emergency Services to educate kindergarteners and first graders with the House on Wheels since 1993.

Every October, during Fire Prevention week, the firefighters go to Elementary schools within the City of Martinsburg and Berkeley County. The traveling show includes the House on Wheels, Firefighters and a Fire Engine. The day starts out with the children watching a video on fire safety and home escape routes, then the children head outside to take a tour of the House on Wheels.

The House on Wheels is a two floor trailer, with the inside resembling the rooms of a home. There is a kitchen, living room and a bedroom. The children start upstairs in the bedroom where they are taught the importance of a secondary means of escape and how to feel the door for heat in case of a fire. When they reach the living room, they learn about safety near fireplaces while a smoke machine pumps non-toxic smoke into the living room. Inside a control room, a firefighter activates the smoke detectors and the children learn to crawl safely to the outside.

Once outside the children meet at their designated meeting point, where the firefighters review the lessons they just learned. From there, they go over to the fire engine, where firefighters talk about the special tools they use in the fire service. Then a firefighter puts on their firefighting gear and lets the children shake hands. This is important so children learn that firefighters are not the "Scary Monster."

After their time with the fire engine, the children get to ask questions. At the end of their tour they are given special treats, which include firehats, coloring books, rulers, and buttons. The firefighters take pride in teaching all children fire safety. If you are intestered in having us help educate your children about fire safety, please do not hesitate to call the following: