Firefighters from the West Penn Township Fire Co. No. 1 rolled into West Penn Elementary School Friday morning with sirens blaring and lights flashing.

A few hours later, more guests arrived - this time in a MedEvac helicopter.

The visits were part of a Fire Prevention Week program held in the school’s gymnasium.

West Penn Township police and the Penn Mahoning Ambulance also stopped in, as did perhaps the most popular visitor of all - Sparky the Fire Dog.

The fire company holds the event each year to talk to students about fire safety and show them the gear and equipment they use.

Fire Chief Jeff Bradford reminded students to call 911 if there is an emergency, and then had student and faculty volunteers to demonstrate “stop, drop and roll.”

Assistant Chief Lawson Miller directed students’ attention to the gym entrance to see firefighters crawling across the floor in their turnout gear.

With their jackets, pants, gloves, helmets and air packs, the gear weighs about 125 pounds, he said.

Fire company Capt. Rick Mertz welcomed Sparky the Fire Dog, who greeted students with handshakes and paw-to-fist bumps.

Outside, students got a first hand glimpse of a fire company engine and other apparatus. They navigated their way through the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company smokehouse, then gathered to watch the arrival of the Lehigh Valley Health Network’s MedEvac helicopter.