New Haven Independent

Firemen give this lesson every year. They get to as many other schools in New Haven as possible during this week, which ususally stretches into the better part of October, known as Fire Prevention Week. The NHFD has a large specialized training trailer with a smoke simulator, producing smoke that the kids get to crawl under, as part of the fire safety offered every year. That trailer is called the NHFD “Smokehouse.”

Although the Smokehouse wasn’t at St. Bernadette’s for Balletto’s and Melendez’s demonstration Friday morning, the orange blanket proved a more than adequate smoke substitute. And these firemen had an extra special interest in being at the school: their own kids attend the 50-year old Catholic school. The duty was also a profound relief from the often grisly work they perform with the department’s Squad Two Heavy Rescue Unit, based at the Ellsworth Street firehouse.

After kindergartner Dominick Letkus (pictured) practiced the stop, drop, and crawl from underneath the orange blanket of make-believe smoke, he emerged with a few questions. He wanted to know, for example, if the firemen would also rescue his two dogs Deso and Tyson.

“Sure,” answered Melendez, “but first we rescue people, then we go to rescue the pets. Understood?” Then he went down the must list for the other kids as Balleto walked among them, proving he was not from outer space, and they shouldn’t be afraid of him, if he entered their houses.

“One, always remind your parents to change the batteries in those smoke alarms.

“Two, never hide in a closet or under a bed, but always go to a door or window and make yourself visible, or go to a fireman if you see him entering.

“Three, if there’s fire on you, roll; if there’s smoke, crawl. Understood?”

Other kids got a chance to try on the heavy uniforms and boots, pull up the suspenders, and even learn the uses of the various secret hooks and accessories on the uniform.

How much does all that stuff weigh, kids? Answer: More than 90 pounds.

Little things count too, like the sweep at the rear of the fireman’s helmet to keep water from going dripping down his back. And a nifty hook at the end of the fireman’s sleeve goes over the thumb, for example. Why? So that when you’re reaching up to pull down a ceiling, the coat will not roll back and the fireman’s arm is protected.

The entire school, including the pre-K and kindergarten teachers Patricia Scaranuzzo and Ronnie Forgione and Principal Peter A. Barile, Jr., are proud of the firemen in the school family.

But it’s more than that. These ten-year veterans are firemen’s firemen. The Squad Two Heavy Rescue Unit, to which they belong, has specialized hazardous materials training, and they also do the lion’s share of extrications in vehicle accidents and other emergencies. It was Balletto, for example, who was, he said, among the first down the ropes about a year ago to rescue the climbers from Wallingford who got stuck on one of the slopes of East Rock. And about two months ago when a man fishing off the Grand Avenue Bridge went into the Quinnipiac, got caught in the tide and was pulled under a passing boat and killed, it was Pablo Melendez who had the grim job of recovering the body.

All the more reason to appreciate the joys of education, as opposed to extrication. Especially when beautiful children — like Melendez’s Syreena and Cal — are part of the training class

According to the Office of the Fire Marshal, which coordinates the fire prevention demonstrations, the Smokehouse will next make its big appearance at Edgewood Park this Sunday between 11 and 3. Schools or other organizations interested in fire prevention demonstrations can call the Office of the Marshal at 946-6233.