Fort Simpson (Oct 20/06) - Residents of Fort Simpson got a chance to see their volunteer fire department in action Oct. 11 as part of Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8 to 14.

Using an old stove and a pot filled with gas, firefighters demonstrated some ways to put out a small kitchen fire which include: putting the lid back on the pot to cut off the fire's oxygen; using water (unless it's an oil or grease fire); or a fire extinguisher to douse the flames.

A volunteer firefighter from Fort Simpson gets ready to put out a stove fire at a demonstration Oct. 11. - Jessica Gray/NNSL photo

Fire Chief Pat Rowe said demonstrating ways to put out a small fire is great, but it's more important to make sure people are out of harm's way.

"We're called to about one major fire a year," said Rowe. Volunteer firefighter Troy Searson said people get into trouble when it comes to fire because they panic.

"I think a lot of people get caught in fires because they don't know how hot it gets," said Searson.

He said the department responds to many chimney fires caused by wood stoves.

Tracy Brown, whose partner is volunteer firefighter Michael Blyth, said her family is well-prepared in case of a fire with a fire escape plan - an important safety measure to have in place for her one-year-old son Tristan Blyth.

"You need a fire plan as early as (your children) can understand," said Brown.

Firefighters also showed children the best way to check if there's fire outside a door by standing with their backs to the door, opening it slightly, and putting their hands up as far up the opening as they can to feel if the air is hot.

If it is, closing the door will help to protect a person because the door becomes a barrier. The firefighters recommended children not check the temperature of the door or see if the door knob is hot because "a door is not a conductor of heat," said Rowe.

Ten-year-old Katrina Browning said she enjoyed the presentation but her favourite part was "when they put out the fire on the stove."

Browning said the presentation helped her learn more about what to do if there's a fire in her house.

There about 12 volunteer firefighters in Fort Simpson that train regularly throughout the year.