At the beginning of the school year, nine Crockett students lost everything in the Garden Apartments fire. Some students did not know what a smoke alarm sounded like or what to do when they heard it. Outside, students saw huge flames, tried to go back inside to get their phones and belongings, but could not. Some did not know what to do or how to get in touch with their parents without their phones.
After news of this tragic event spread, a team of sixth-grade students at Crockett Intermediate School began a community service project called Operation Home Alone. As they began their work they interviewed Emergency Medical Service personnel and firefighters and learned a big problem is some people do not know their home address or phone number when they call 911. After much research, Operation Home Alone made bookmarks and information cards for emergencies that include items such as home address, phone number for poison control, parent’s work numbers and basic medical information needed for emergencies.
The team has presented the information in classrooms and they filmed infomercials on accidents that occur at home and how to respond. They have visited four different radio stations to inform other kids about safety. They made informational books about tornados, fires, accidental poisoning, and injuries and placed them in libraries. A school-wide assembly with Local Fire Station 4 and other guest speakers was held and students learned about fire safety, basic first aid, and what to do when you’re home alone and an emergency occurs.
Operation Home Alone will have a booth at Kid’s Safe Saturday and continue to distribute information to kids and their families to help keep them safe.
Top (from left) Operation Home Alone team members include Carter Benson, Makina Cass, Brody Holleman, Anna Lehenbauer, Madison Jeffus, Abby Perry, and Madison Meyer. In back are guest speakers Cade White, Brian Ford, Chad Helberg, Robert Covington, Chris Barber, and Courtney Cooper.
Bottom left: Firefighter Cade White assisting Brody Holleman gear up in a firefighter suit.
Bottom right: Brody demonstrated what firefighting gear feels like for the student body.
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