Safety City brings safety lessons to life for TCS students

TIFFIN, Ohio – Tiffin City Schools students are practicing everyday safety skills and getting to know local first responders through Safety City, a program supported by schools, families and community volunteers.

Students from Washington Elementary and Krout Elementary are participating in this year’s program, which combines hands-on demonstrations with classroom instruction on crossing the street, bicycle safety and basic fire safety.

Presented by the Tiffin Police Department and Tiffin Fire Rescue Division, the program serves children in kindergarten through third grade. This year marks the 13th annual Safety Education Week. Calvert students also participate in the community program.

Students raise their hands during a Safety City classroom lesson on when and how to call 911.

“When a child learns a safety lesson from a police officer or firefighter in a fun, hands-on environment, we are not only teaching them how to stay safe, but we’re also building trust and relationships that can last a lifetime,” Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly said.

The lessons give students opportunities to practice habits such as looking both ways before crossing the street. They also introduce children to the people they can turn to when they need help.

“Emergencies don’t make appointments,” said Washington Elementary Principal Jennifer Watson. “The more we prepare the students, the less likely they will react with fear. When we all work together like this, we build safer schools and, in turn, a safer community.”

Chief Rob Chappell of the Tiffin Fire Rescue Division said the experience can help children develop safety habits that stay with them as they grow.

A Tiffin Fire Rescue Division firefighter guides a student through a hands-on fire safety drill.

“Safety City allows us to begin teaching children about fire safety at an early age, when those lessons can become lifelong habits,” Chappell said. “Through discussion and hands-on experiences with our firefighters, children learn the basics of fire safety while also becoming more comfortable with the first responders who are there to help them in an emergency.”

The partnership extends beyond the participating schools and first responders. Parent volunteers, citizen academy alumni and volunteers from Kiwanis of Seneca County and the Seneca County Safety Council help make the program possible. Subway donates food for volunteers.

Tiffin City Schools thanks the City of Tiffin, the Tiffin Police Department, the Tiffin Fire Rescue Division and the volunteers and community partners who help bring these lessons to local children.