Naval Base Guam Firefighters Share Career Experiences with Students

By Jesse Leon Guerrero, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

BARRIGADA, Guam (NNS) -- Firefighters and fire inspectors from U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) Fire and Emergency Services met with students from Pedro C. Lujan Elementary School in Barrigada to discuss fire safety and share their experiences during the school's career day April 30.

"It's just great to come out here and represent the fire department with the Navy and educate the kids on what fire is all about, that it's dangerous," said Fire Inspector Anthony Lizama. "If we start them out early, teaching them, educating them about fire then they'll be safer as they get older."

Lizama and his fellow firefighters gave the children important tips on fire prevention and allowed them the opportunity to see a fire truck up close and interact with NBG's Fire and Emergency Services mascot Sparky.

"The take-away from this is we hope they'll educate themselves more [about fire prevention] and become firefighters," he said. "It's always good to get out into the community to interact to show the camaraderie between the local and federal side."

Career day coordinator Vera Elliott thanked firefighters for meeting with students and explaining what they do to help keep Navy installations and the public safe.

"They have been part of our school's career day for the past four years and they've been a wonderful agency, always willing to participate and help out our kids," she said.

Elliott added that career day is a meaningful program as it shows different types of opportunities available and can spark interest in students as young as kindergartners.