DANVILLE — The Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District recently completed fire inspections of the 12 Amish schools in EKCJFD’s fire protection area. This was a first-time inspection for several of the schools. Capt. Chris Willis, who performed the inspections, said that while the staff at two of the schools seemed somewhat leery about allowing non-Amish into their schools during school hours, most of the Amish teachers were welcoming and receptive to the fire department’s efforts.
Because the leadership of the schools was unfamiliar with the 2007 Ohio Fire Code, and what fire safety standards are required of Amish schools, Willis said he gave specific information to each school, as well as contact information for his department so that any questions could be answered.
“I gave them my business card, and offered to all the schools to help them with their first fire drill of the year [next school year], to ensure they’re being done correctly,” Willis said.
“We wanted them to know that we’re here for them, and that all schools must be inspected according to Ohio law, and that we’re not just picking on the Amish.”
Willis explained that this year’s visits to the Amish schools were very basic, and that more detailed inspections will follow in upcoming years.
“This was more of a preplan than anything,” Willis said. “Any major violations that we saw, such as the two schools that were completely without fire extinguishers, we expected them to correct right away.
“You are always prepared to encounter some small things to work on, some minor violations,” Willis said.
Some of the schools did have smoke detectors, others did not. Where smoke detectors and fire extinguishers were lacking, Willis said the school leadership was not aware extinguishers were required by the Ohio Fire Code. Firefighters gave each school a new fire extinguisher, two smoke detectors and two safety orange exit signs.
The firefighters also explained to staff members the mandatory monthly fire drills, and the required logs that record them each month of the school year. At each school, firefighters left a book on first aid, and a letter from the Amish safety council of Holmes County, regarding why school fire inspections are so important.
“This is very new, and we’re not trying to scare anyone,” said Willis. “We go out as a crew, to familiarize firefighters with the buildings as part of preplanning, and to establish a good rapport between the Amish community and the fire district that serves them.”
With the completion of the Amish school inspections in the Danville area, all schools in Knox County, for the first time, have had an official fire inspection this year.
