North Reading Fire Hosts Cooking Safety Training in Collaboration with North Reading School District Cafeteria Staff

NORTH READING — Chief Don Stats is pleased to share that North Reading Fire hosted a fire prevention event for local school department cafeteria staff ahead of the school year. 

On Sept. 1, North Reading Lieutenants Jonathan Burt, Tyler Samost, and Adam Salemme instructed School Department Cafeteria Employees on proper use of fire extinguishers. This training allowed school staff to familiarize themselves with a fire extinguisher, practice what to do if there is a fire in the cafeteria or when students are getting lunch at school, how to properly extinguish a cooking fire, and how to render first aid in an emergency situation. 

North Reading Fire utilized a cooking fire prop on loan from the Beverly Fire Department. The prop simulated a real fire, and staff members went up one by one and used a fire extinguisher to properly extinguish the flames. 

Cooking fires, especially in schools, can be extremely dangerous and are often the most common form of fire. By providing the tools, educational material, and proper training, district staff are now well prepared prior to the school year and can act quickly in an emergency until first responders arrive on scene. 

“Being able to train the staff ensures an emergency is acted upon quickly until help arrives,” said Deputy Chief Matthew Carroll. “This training not only allows us to connect with the school department, but it ensures the safety of staff as well as students.”

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