David Bjelovic, a Grade 6 student at Pine Grove school in St. Catharines, extinguishes a fire with a little help from Ray White, public educator with the Niagara-on-the-Lake fire department. Students were at the Niagara Region Children's Safety Village, located at the Niagara College Welland campus, for the 12th annual School Patroller Day on Sept. 25.

Throughout the Niagara Region Children's Safety Village, students could be heard laughing and talking.

But as elementary schools students from across Niagara travelled about the unique miniature community, they were learning skills that could save lives.

"Any time we talk about fire safety, bringing people out alive is the big issue," said Jack Junkin, volunteer firefighter and captain at Pelham Fire Station No. 3.

"It's life and death."

Junkin was helping students learn how to use a fire extinguisher at the 12th annual School Patroller Day on Sept. 25. Every year selected students from different schools attend the safety village, learning skills in areas including fire safety, first aid and school bus evacuation.

"They're learning valuable leadership skills," said Sgt. Neal Orlando, with the police's community services division.

This year, a total of 180 students participated in School Patroller Day, from schools in St. Catharines, Grimsby and as far away as Dunnville. At the end of the day each student receives a patroller safety certificate from CAA.

School Patroller Day is a perfect use of the children's safety village, said Orlando. The village is a miniature town in itself, including streets with working intersections, and buildings.

"The safety village is a hidden gem in the Niagara Region," said Orlando. "It's one-of-a-kind and becoming more and more utilized as people catch on to it."

The Niagara Regional Police Service, Niagara Emergency Medical Services and the region's fire departments all chip in to make the day a success, added Orlando.

Students were also having fun, spraying a fire extinguisher at a controlled fire. But while fun, the students all learned that the procedure must be done right or people can get hurt.

"Never turn your back on the fire," said Ray White, public educator with the Niagara-on-the-Lake fire department. "That's when the fire creeps up on you and it's too late."

White later told Niagara this Week that it's very important to teach students the basics of fire safety at a young age.

"You can reach students," he said. "It's tougher to reach adults. They're too busy."