‘Smokey the Bear’ and Norwood Fire Department Bring Fire Safety to Shattuck School Pupils-October 11, 1967

“Smokey the Bear” and an honor guard of 12 firefighters roared onto the grounds of the Edmund J. Shattuck School yesterday, and the 280 children in attendance loved every minute of it.

The dramatic visit was part of the Norwood Fire Department‘s intensive educational program for Fire Prevention Week across Norwood public schools. “Smokey”—portrayed by Fireman John Collins—along with his fellow firefighters, staged a high-action rescue and fire suppression demonstration during a school fire drill.

High-Flying Rescues and Extinguishing Demonstrations

The outdoor demonstration captivated the students from start to finish:

• Rooftop Rescues: Firefighters simulated a daring rescue of two dummies from the school roof, lowering one via stretcher and dropping the other safely into a canvas rescue net.
• Fire Suppression: Firefighter Wallace A. Houghton, clad in an asbestos suit, expertly extinguished a blazing oil fire, followed by a second demonstration showcasing how to quench a blaze using a high-pressure water fog.
• The Grand Finale: The exhibition concluded when “Smokey” climbed 34 feet above the cheering crowd on the department’s Ladder No. 4, waving to the delighted children below.

Lasting Impressions on Young Minds

School and fire officials agree that the interactive program leaves a powerful, lasting impression on students. Shattuck School Principal Robert Fox noted that the department has staged the presentation for the past three consecutive years, observing that “the children really seem to enjoy it.”

Lt. William R. Turner of the Fire Department praised the community collaboration: “We’ve had terrific response from School Supt. Dr. Phillip O. Coakley, and the children have been just great.”

When reporters asked the first-graders which part of the action-packed demonstration stood out the most, responses varied widely:

• Shaugn Gillespie excitedly named “Smokey!”
• Michelle Parrine favored the dramatic jump into the canvas rescue net.
• Jeffrey Bissett enthusiastically exclaimed: “The fire!”

During the remainder of Fire Prevention Week, “Smokey” and his firefighter cohorts continued their tour, visiting other public elementary schools throughout Norwood.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger