Daycare children paid a visit to the City of Marion Fire Station to learn about fire safety in a special presentation for Fire Prevention Week. Assistant Chief Jackie Yates spoke to the group with the help of a puppet show on October 10, 2017. The City of Marion Fire Department hosted more than 300 children for a Fire Prevention Week program, featuring a puppet show. The crew kicked things off with a special presentation at the fire station inviting and transporting local daycare providers. More than 200 children were treated to snacks, a puppet show. Firefighters traveled to several school to help educate the youth. Assistant Chief Jackie Yates said the education through characterization program is part of the National Fire Prevention Week activities. Established by the Nation Fire Protection Association the first full week in October, Fire Prevention Week is held across the nation. “It gives local fire departments the opportunity to bring kids into the station or go out to the local schools and teach the kids about fire safety,” he said. “Not only to we target kids, we’re trying to teach adults as well.” “Because they see adults use it all the time they don’t know that they can’t do that or control it,” Yates said. “This is a good opportunity to reach them because kids will listen to puppets sing those songs because kids learn through songs. These traditions are very effective.” Yates said the department has showcased the puppet show for more than a decade. “It’s called the City of Marion puppet show and our slogan is saving lives through education,” Yates said. “I have kids that come up to me in high school now that remember me with the puppets and we know if they can remember I came to the school with the puppets then they remember the message. The department also paid a visit to Easterling Elementary, Marion Intermediate and Springville Head Start in Marion. This year Slogan was “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 ways Out!”