"This is the first time we've done this," said Lower School Curriculum Coordinator Diane Mackie as the students gathered in FDNY's first floor auditorium to don their own souvenir FDNY helmets.

The students were invited to take part in Fire Safety Week ceremonies. They began their visit with a talk by Firefighter George Tabeek, whom they had previously met at BFS. He discussed fire safety and prepared them for this morning's big event. "What's one thing I taught you?" he asked the excited kids.

"Don't play with matches!"

"Don't play with hot pans!"

"That's right, stay away from pans in the kitchen where your parents are cooking. If a pan's smoking it's cold, right?"

This softball question was met with a resounding "No!" from the well-tutored first graders.

"Did you go home and check your smoke alarms like I told you? Were they working?"

"Where does smoke go?"

"Up!"

"Where do we go?"

"Down!"

Firefighter George looked impressed. The highlight for the kids was without a doubt a visit from Hot Dog and Sparky, FDNY's costumed mascots, which sent the conversation in unexpected and amusing directions far afield from fire safety.

"Are they twins?" ("Only on Fridays when they dress alike," said a quick-thinking George.)

"Are they Dalmatians?" ("Yes. In the old days, the horses used to pull the fire trucks and the horses would follow the Dalmatians to the fire.")

"Who's older, Hot Dog or Sparky?" (At this, the baffled dogs shrugged and George took a pass.)

"Are they brothers?" ("No, they're just very good friends.")

The over-sized canines departed and George swung the conversation back to the subject at hand. "Do you know your address? If you don't, that's your homework for tonight. Learn your home address."

The combination of learning and hijinks was all a prelude to the appearance of major real-life figures in New York City media and politics, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Department Chief Sal Cassano, along with FDNY Director of Fire Safety Education Lt. Anthony Mancuso, President of the National Fire Protection Association James Shannon, and a representative from a pizza chain which provided free food for the general public during the day-long event.

Commissioner Scoppetta took a serious tone with the students and made the purpose behind the day's fun clear. "I've just returned from a trip to Chicago. 138 years ago Chicago suffered a devastating fire. We've come a long way since those days but you must always stay alert, stay vigilant. Let the first department know as soon as possible when you have a fire," he said. "We're not trying to frighten you, we're tying to do the opposite." He stressed that he taught these same lessons to his nine-year-old grandson who knows to call 911 in an emergency. He also recounted the true story of a five-year-old boy in the area who recently saved his mother's life by calling 911. "She had passed out. Help got there in 4 minutes and we saved that woman's life." His point was clear: it's never too early to start teaching kids fire safety.

Chief Casano introduced the kids to two real firefighters fully suited in their nearly 100 pounds of firefighting apparatus including face masks and oxygen tanks, creating an intimidating appearance, especially for a small child. "If you see them in your home they're there to help you. Don't be frightened. Go to them." The firemen removed their masks to smile and greet the children.

Jim Shannon from the NFPA, a fire safety advocacy group over a century old, gave the final prelude to the students' swearing in ceremony. "It's not just getting a helmet," he told them. "You're taking a job, too. You need to help make sure your own home and your own family is fire-safe. Make sure you have an exit plan and that you practice it."

The Fire Commissioner reiterated the message. "Once you become a Junior Firefighter you need to take the message home. Thanks for promising to help us save lives."

After the students were formally sworn in with right hands raised, they toured the equipment outside in the commons, met firefighters, and then returned to the auditorium for a quick pizza lunch before heading back to school.

In addition to Diane, chaperones included First Grade Teachers Laura Leopardo and Jill Fiengo, and First Grade Associates Erica Lee and Hannah Williams.   "Research shows that children as young as 5 are capable of learning lifesaving techniques," said Diane. "As children are one of the most vulnerable groups it's critically important that we heighten their awareness about the need for their families to take precautions and have a plan in the event of a fire." Besides, she added, "kids are very persuasive and effective messengers."

Firefighter Tabeek has come to speak to BFS kindergarten and first grade students about fire safety for the past two years. "Everyone, kids and teachers, loves George," said Diane. "He brings along an eight-minute animated tape for the kids to see and then dresses in gear to demonstrate how the equipment is used," she said. "Sadly, there are kids who have hidden in closets or under beds because they fear the alien-looking masks and heavy breathing sounds of the equipment."

This year marks the first time BFS students have gone to Fire Department Headquarters. The visit was suggested by BFS parent Nadia Jaber, who works for FDNY.