Mobile Fireman Lights Up a Classroom

By Jere Hough Meteorologist / Feature Reporter

Published: Wed, March 28, 2007 - 7:03 am
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 3:49 pm

Jere Hough

(INTRO) THERE'S A TEACHER ON THE GULF COAST WHO IS REALLY A FIREMAN. AND HIS VERY SERIOUS MESSAGE IS DELIVERED WITH A LOT OF LAUGHTER. METEOROLOGIST JERE HOUGH ATTENDED HIS CLASS JUST DOWN COUNTY ROAD 5.

(NAT SOUND: Song, "Learn How Not to Burn")

Stop and Drop and then you roll...a fire safety lesson in song from Kent and Precious (the one in white) for third graders at O'Rourke Elementary School.

Kent also pantomimes as the children listen to "No Dragons for Tea."

(NAT SOUND: Hough reading)

Kent Landsberg is a full time fire-medic. He drove a fire truck for twenty-five years, and now his job is teaching.

And though everyone is having a great time, especially Landsberg...the message is serious.

Landsberg explains, "We want children to be aware of what a smoke alarm is and what they are supposed to do when they hear it."

Dusty the Dragon knows what to do. "Well, when you hear the beep and you smell the smoke, get down on your hands and knees like a dog and start crawling," says the puppet.

Sometimes the message comes from other puppets.

(NAT SOUND: Dalmation Song)

Landsberg spends a lot of time at this...up to ten shows a day for different age groups. "It's not unusual for me to do five different presentations in a single day." Same message but different delivery for different audiences....and next year- a new lesson.

Landsberg says, "This year it's, of course, fire prevention and smoke alarm awareness. Next year we're hoping to have helmet safety and seat belt safety...I come up with a lot of it but I have a lot of help in my division. We all brainstorm and try to put a program together."

The kids clearly love this show, but it's Landsberg who has the most fun. "It's a blast. It's the best job in the world. I'd lots rather see people smiling than I would see them crying."

{JERE HOUGH} (Voice over) "On County Road 5, at O'Rourke Elementary School in Mobile, I'm Jere Hough, News 5."

(TAG) KENT LANDSBERG IS AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OF ALL AGES. THE BEST WAY TO REACH HIM IS THROUGH MOBILE FIRE RESCUE. HIS PHONE NUMBER IS (251) 208-2891

News Map