CHESAPEAKE - Chesapeake Elementary students received a safety education - and had a little fun in the process.

Friday was Bus and Fire Safety Day at Chesapeake Elementary, and the parking lot was full of emergency vehicles from the Chesapeake Police, SEOEMS, and Chesapeake/Union Fire Department fire trucks.

The Barboursville, W.Va.,

Fire Department brought its fire safety house to educate children on what to do in case of fire.

&#8220They get exposure to buses, fire trucks, ambulances,” Principal Jack Finch said. &#8220We have this every year, we make a good time of it.”

Students were brought out during their recess so the event would not interfere with their studies. They got to walk around to various vehicles, learn about them and even test out some of the equipment.

&#8220It's a valuable learning experience for the kids,” Fire Chief Rick Slack said. &#8220Not so much how the truck operates, but how to get out in case of a fire.”

Slack said the equipment the firefighter works with is big and can be intimidating to young children. The men were there so the youth could learn what the firefighters do and how to stay safe in case their house catches fire.

&#8220It's a learning tool,” Slack said.

After the students spoke with Slack, they could get in line to spray the fire hose - and the line was long.

Students laughed as they took their turn blasting the water with the assistance of Chesapeake firefighter Donald Canterberry.

&#8220It felt good,” second grader Chandler Webb said after he sprayed the fire hose.

Finch said the students, hopefully, will remember what they learned and it will help them in the event of an emergency. He said it is great to see the community service workers come together like this. The school also had district bus evacuations on Friday evening.

&#8220It's a good day,” Finch said.

Another exciting place to be on Friday was in the police cruiser, which was opened so the students could sit in the front or back and have the opportunity to check it out and ask questions under the supervision of assistant chief Sue Mays.

Second-grade teacher Nora Frye said the children always enjoy squirting the water hose, getting the fire hats and coloring books.

No matter what each student liked the best - each area taught a message about safety - a message that could one day save a life.