Fire trucks rolled out to West Elementary in Knoxville on Wednesday, to help remind students about the importance of fire safety…and of learning to trust fire personnel.

Knoxville Fire Department firefighters were on hand to show students their equipment, and tell them some of the important things they need to remember in case of a fire or other emergency.

Ryan Klein is the principal at West Elementary; he tells KNIA/KRLS News the presence of the fire department helps to bring the point home.

“We’re doing a fire prevention assembly, and last week was Fire Prevention Week, and it was important for us to make sure our kids know and understand the importance of fire prevention,” Klein says. “And it helps when the Knoxville Fire Department comes and demonstrates and talks about safety; and gets to look through the fire trucks and see firemen and equipment and talk with them — I think it really helps deliver the message.”

Klein says seeing firefighters in person also helps children to build trust for these men and women; a firefighter in full gear can be frightening or intimidating to kids, especially younger ones, and he believes seeing them as they really are will help them to get past that if they are ever in need of help.