The Ledger

Chief Brock Wilcher Highlights Fire Safety Education, Free Smoke Alarms and Future Firefighters

By Becky Holland

COCHRAN, Ga. — When more than 500 young students at Cochran’s primary school recently met Sparky the Fire Dog, explored fire safety displays and learned what to do when a smoke alarm sounds, they were receiving lessons that could one day save their lives.

And for Cochran Fire Chief Brock Wilcher and his firefighters, that’s what Fire Prevention Month is all about.

October has been a busy month for the Cochran Fire Department, with firefighters taking their message of prevention, preparation and safety beyond the fire station and directly into the community.

Wilcher said the department recently visited the primary school, reaching more than 500 students with an interactive fire safety program that included the department’s fire safety house, a fire truck display, an inflatable fire house and the always-popular Sparky the Fire Dog.

The equipment and activities make learning fun, but the message behind them is serious.

Children of every age need to understand what to do when a smoke alarm sounds.

Get out of the house.

Stay outside.

And never go back inside a burning building.

It’s a simple lesson, but one that Wilcher believes every child should know.

A Smoke Alarm Can Mean the Difference Between Life and Death

While children are learning fire safety in the classroom, Wilcher has an equally important message for their parents and other adults.

Make sure your home has working smoke alarms.

The Cochran Fire Department is currently offering a limited supply of free smoke alarms to residents living within the city limits. One alarm is available per household while supplies last.

Residents can contact the fire department through its non-emergency telephone number or stop by the station to inquire about receiving one.

Wilcher stressed that smoke alarms are essential because people cannot depend on their sense of smell to awaken them during a fire.

Smoke can actually make a sleeping person more difficult to awaken and can quickly become deadly.

A working smoke alarm provides the early warning that may give a family enough time to escape.

And in a house fire, every second matters.

Wilcher noted that a fire can double in size in approximately 30 seconds, making a quick response critical.

He encourages families to develop and practice an escape plan that includes two ways out of each room whenever possible.

Knowing where to go before an emergency occurs can make all the difference when seconds count.

Preparing the Next Generation of Firefighters

The department’s commitment to education extends beyond young children.

Six years ago, Wilcher established a firefighter recruitment program involving students at Middle Georgia State University.

The program provides interested college recruits with an opportunity to become involved in firefighting and begin preparing for the responsibilities that come with the profession.

According to Wilcher, 32 individuals have expressed interest in the program.

Participants attend classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Fridays during the day from January through April. Testing takes place in May.

The program reflects an investment not only in the department’s future but also in developing individuals who may one day serve and protect their own communities.

For Wilcher, preparing future firefighters is another way to strengthen public safety.

A Busy Department Serving Cochran

While fire prevention education is a major focus during October, the department’s regular responsibilities continue throughout the year.

Wilcher said Cochran firefighters responded to approximately 117 calls during September alone.

Those calls represent the daily demands placed on firefighters who must be prepared to respond when their community needs them.

And this weekend, the firefighters will trade some of their usual emergency response duties for another opportunity to connect with local families.

The Cochran Fire Department will participate in the Great Pumpkin Festival, bringing its fire safety house, a fire truck display and Sparky the Fire Dog.

The department will also handle the fireworks display Saturday evening.

It’s another opportunity for children to meet firefighters, explore equipment and learn that the men and women who respond during emergencies are also neighbors and community members dedicated to keeping them safe.

Looking Ahead to Holiday Fire Safety

With the holiday season approaching, Wilcher is already encouraging residents to be mindful of potential fire hazards involving Christmas lights and extension cords.

He cautioned that extension cords are intended for temporary use and should not be treated as permanent electrical solutions.

Residents should also make sure decorative lights are appropriate for their intended locations.

Indoor lights should be used indoors, while outdoor decorations should be specifically rated for outdoor use.

Taking a few extra minutes to inspect decorations, check electrical equipment and follow safety recommendations can help prevent a holiday celebration from turning into an emergency.

Prevention Is Everyone’s Responsibility

For Wilcher and the Cochran Fire Department, Fire Prevention Month is about much more than a calendar designation.

It’s about teaching a child how to escape a burning house.

It’s about helping a family obtain a smoke alarm they might not otherwise have.

It’s about preparing the next generation of firefighters.

And it’s about reminding residents that fire safety begins long before the first emergency call is made.

Through school visits, community events, firefighter training and public education, the department continues working to make Cochran a safer place to live.

The firefighters may be best known for rushing toward danger when others are trying to escape it.

But sometimes, their most important work happens long before a fire ever starts.

Residents living within the Cochran city limits who need a smoke alarm are encouraged to contact the Cochran Fire Department through its non-emergency number or visit the fire station. Free alarms are available in limited quantities, one per household, while supplies last.