Thousands of Miami-Dade elementary school students will practice emergency calls, learn how to escape dangerous situations and explore ways to prevent fires when the 39th annual Children's Fire Safety Festival opens Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The three-day event, running through Thursday, Oct. 15, will bring first- through third-graders together for hands-on lessons under the theme "Learn Not to Burn," according to a city news release published by Community Newspapers.

The festival is a collaboration between the Miami Beach Fire Department and the Miami Burn Center at Ryder Trauma Center, part of Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Activities will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day in the convention center's first-floor Lincoln Ballroom at 1901 Convention Center Drive. An opening ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Hands-on lessons teach lifesaving skills

Students will rotate through five interactive learning stations designed to help them recognize fire hazards and respond to emergencies.

Activities will cover the Stop, Drop and Roll technique, household fire prevention, kitchen and bathroom safety, and when and how to call 911.

An interactive 911 simulation will give students an opportunity to practice making an emergency call.

"Teaching children about fire safety at a young age gives them skills that can stay with them for a lifetime," Miami Beach Fire Chief Digna Abello said in a statement.

Abello said the department was proud to work with community partners to make fire prevention education engaging and memorable for thousands of students.

The festival emphasizes practical skills that children can remember and use during emergencies.

Fire departments join forces for three-day event

The Miami Beach Fire Department will host the festival with support from the city's Department of Parks, Facilities, Fleet and Beaches.

Firefighters and emergency personnel from across Miami-Dade County will lead demonstrations and educational activities.

Participating agencies include Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miami Fire Rescue, Coral Gables Fire Rescue, Hialeah Fire Rescue, Key Biscayne Fire Rescue and Homestead Air Reserve Base Fire Rescue.

The festival follows National Fire Prevention Week, observed Oct. 4-10, and continues the annual effort to teach children fire prevention and emergency response skills.

The event will take place Oct. 13-15 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, with activities scheduled each morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.