By Sarah Read

Elementary students from Greenville Michigan Homeschoolers enjoyed a fun Fire and Tornado Safety Day at their weekly co-op, at the Oakfield Christian Learning Center on Monday, May 12, thanks to the Oakfield Township Fire Department.

Fire Chief, Don Riker, spoke with approximately 40 students, ages 2-12, about safety measures during emergency situations, such as severe weather/tornado warnings, and fire. Riker also brought the Fire Department’s smoke simulator, a trailer that fills with fog-like smoke, allowing children to practice crawling and window escape.

“I didn’t know you should wear shoes when you take cover from a tornado because of left-over debris,” said Chloe Herzog, age 7. “I’m going to remember that.”

Oakfield Christian Learning Center, previously Oakfield Baptist Academy, is located on the corner of 14 Mile and Wabasis Avenue. For more information about the various homeschool groups and opportunities hosted there, email greenvillemichiganhomeschoolers@yahoo.com.

The Oakfield Township Fire Department was called to a car on fire on Friday, August 2, shortly after noon, near Beardslee Rd NE and Tully Avenue. They found a yellow car in the ditch along Beardslee, and the engine compartment was on fire. The compartment was full of smoke. As they began putting out the fire, a male in the vehicle sat up. He had been sitting in the driver’s seat, but was lying across the passenger seat. He was the only person in the car, and firefighters immediately pulled him out.

AeroMed was called to the scene, but told to disregard before they arrived. The man was transported to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital by Rockford Ambulance with third degree burns to his legs and one arm.

The Kent County Sheriff Department said they think the man fell asleep and crashed into the ditch. They said it’s unknown why the car started on fire.