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Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune:
Last month, something truly remarkable happened in Aurora when five-year-old Gracie White demonstrated incredible calmness and bravery during a real-life emergency. Gracie, who was nearly asleep in her mother's bed, suddenly heard frantic shouts indicating there was a fire in their home. Her mom quickly gathered her two younger brothers—ages one and two—and then turned to Gracie with a simple instruction: "OK Gracie, there's a fire. We've got to go."
Without hesitation, Gracie sprang into action. Barefoot and still in her pajamas, she grabbed her beloved stuffed bear and immediately went next door to her grandparents' house, which served as their family's designated meeting point. Her mom recalls that Gracie didn't shed a tear or utter a single word; instead, she simply instructed her mom to call 911 before walking confidently to the porch.
For Aurora Fire Department Lieutenant Jim Rhodes, Gracie's response during the fire on November 20th was nothing short of inspiring. "It’s the perfect testament of why we do what we do," he said. "It actually makes a difference." Every October, Aurora firefighters visit local schools to educate children about fire safety, including drills like Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH). These lessons emphasize creating escape plans and choosing safe meeting spots outside the home. Clearly, these teachings stuck with Gracie.
Lieutenant Rhodes emphasized that even very young children, as young as two years old, can grasp basic safety concepts such as Stop, Drop, and Roll, Get Low and Go, and EDITH. Kids should also learn to steer clear of items like lighters, candles, and the kitchen area where accidents might occur.
Following the fire at the Whites' residence, Aurora Fire Marshal Gary Krienitz received praise from Gracie’s teacher for the Engine Company 9 team's impactful educational efforts. Their proactive teaching clearly paid off when faced with an actual crisis.
As Lieutenant Rhodes pointed out, many people mistakenly think disasters won’t happen to them, but unfortunately, they can strike anyone at any time. Gracie White serves as living proof of how vital early education and preparation can be in ensuring everyone knows exactly what to do during emergencies.