AmerAsian School students receive fire prevention training Published July 17, 2008 By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AB, Japan -- Approximately 70 students from the AmeriAsian School in Okinawa toured Kadena's Fire and Emergency Services headquarters Tuesday. AmerAsian School in Okinawa is a non-profit organization providing quality education to children of Asian and American descent in a bicultural and bilingual environment. The students, ranging from kindergarteners to 9th graders, toured the station's various facilities, learned how to prepare a fire escape plan and received hands-on fire hose training. Staff Sgt. DeRon Branch, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron fire station captain, led the students around the fire house where they saw the fire training section, communications control room and living quarters. He pointed out that facilities such as the TV, game, and exercise rooms help boost morale when firefighters stay at the station overnight "Even though we're on duty 24 hours each shift, we still have regular work hours," Sergeant Branch explained to the children. "While on shift, we have facilities where we can eat, sleep and relax." Students toured the fire department's "safety house" trailer which showed how smoke builds up in a home. They also watched a video on the importance of creating a fire escape plan. "We taught the children the basics of fire prevention and safety," said Mike Toyama, 18th CES Fire and Emergency Services district chief. "The children learned how to escape from a burning building, detect heat in the home and use the drop and roll technique. It's best to have this sort of training at a young age." The tour was considered a success by the firefighters, teachers and students. "My students really enjoyed the tour here," said Saori Yada, a 2nd grade teacher from the school. "It was very nice of Mr. Toyama to invite us for this tour. I wanted my students to know [fires] could happen in real life and they must always be prepared." Ms. Yada said she hopes to have more tours and fire safety training in the future. "Fire safety is really important," said Miashia Moore, a 9th grade student. "I learned that fire doesn't kill people, but smoke does. I also found it interesting to learn that firefighters sometimes live at the station while on duty." Miss Moore said the tour was fun and interesting and she would like to see more of Kadena. "I want to thank everybody who planned this tour for us," she said.