Claude G. Young, Sr. has always understood that a good fire prevention program was an important part of a fire company’s activity. So, when he took the reins of the fire company in 1958, he immediately began a formal fire prevention program. Claude invited Lt. Richard Newhouser and two other firefighters from the Lancaster Bureau of Fire to put on a program at the Rothsville Elementary School. The program took place on October 9, 1958. Claude used that program as the basis for developing his own program. From that year on Rothsville conducted their own program.
In 1971, Claude conducted a braille version of the E.D.I.T.H., Exit Drill In The Home, program assisted by the Manheim Township Lions Club. The resulting program was distributed to every blind person in Lancaster County through the Lancaster Blind Association. You can find out more about the E. D. I. T. H. programs.
When the Rothsville School was closed and students began attending Kissel Hill Elementary, Claude and the fire company began an annual program there. The Lititz Fire Department contacted Rothsville and asked if we would help them by doing the rest of the schools in the Warwick School District.
In 1988, Claude retired as Chief and was appointed to be the Fire Prevention Officer for the fire company. In that position, he is responsible for organizing the annual children’s programs for 20 schools, day cares, and home schools. The programs are conducted during the weeks around Fire Prevention Week in October. At present, we are educating 4,300 elementary, preschool and nursery school children every year. In recent years, the personnel from the Rothsville Fire Company and Rothsville Ambulance have been assisted by the Lititz Fire Company, Brunnerville Fire Company, Brickerville Fire Company, and Warwick Ambulance.
Our current program consists of an education program including:
- Fire safety handouts for the parents and the child
- Stop drop and roll demonstration
- The E.D.I.T.H. program. You can find out more about the E. D. I. T. H. programs.
- Fire drills in schools
- Smoke detector demonstration
- Matches and lighter warnings
- A tour of fire engines and an ambulance
- In past years, some aspect of firefighting was demonstrated, such as repelling and foam application.
- Children have also gone through the Lancaster County Firemen’s Association fire safety trailer.
- And last but not least something just for them: a Tootsie Pop
In addition to these children’s programs, Claude presents programs for civic groups and day-care staff. These programs consist of:
- Use hand held fire extinguishers
- Operation and care of smoke detectors
- Evacuations of day-care centers
If an Organization in Warwick Township would like a Fire Prevention Program, they should contact Claude at 626-6223 or email the station at Firehouse@RVFC.com
Here are a few more pictures from the 2002 program:
