Second-grader saves family after applying fire safety lesson learned hours prior

Western Lakes Fire District officials presented a Certificate of Excellence to a second-grader in Oconomowoc on Friday. The boy received the award for executing a fire evacuation plan that he had learned in school just 48 hours earlier.

The incident occurred when the student, identified as Blake, heard his home smoke detector activate. A stove left unattended had caught fire. Blake immediately followed the protocol taught by Western Lakes Assistant Chief Joseph Hoffman during a visit to St. Jerome Parish School on Oct. 16. Hoffman taught the class to exit quickly when alarms sound or smoke is detected. The lesson included checking smoke alarms, identifying exits in every room, and selecting an outside meeting place.

Blake moved his family out of the house and to their designated meeting spot at a nearby lamppost. His grandfather, who lives next door, responded to the situation with a fire extinguisher. The grandfather extinguished the flames before fire crews arrived on the scene. Hoffman stated that Blake paid close attention to the instructions and chose to act exactly as he was taught. The fire chief noted that this response deserved formal recognition.

The recognition came during a surprise visit to St. Jerome Parish School. Western Lakes firefighters returned to the classroom to present the certificate to Blake. The district also plans to honor the student at an upcoming awards ceremony. Blake’s family declined to speak with media about the event.

The timing of the lesson coincided with Fire Prevention Month. During that period, the department visited 14 schools and childcare sites in the district. Those visits reached more than 1,700 students. Hoffman emphasized the importance of maintaining smoke detectors, noting that even hardwired units contain batteries. He urged residents to check their detectors following the end of daylight saving time on Sunday.