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On June 15, Docarmo’s Taekwondo on Commerce Street hosted a community youth event called “Fire and Forms,” that combined martial arts with vital fire safety education.

The school’s lead instructor, Morgan Cabrera, emphasized the value of the event for students and their families.

“Events like these help us build relationships with the kids and their families, allowing us to get together and see how these kids have developed over the last year,” Cabrera said. “It was an excellent opportunity for the kids to also learn proper fire safety procedures… because you never know when the unexpected might happen.”

The event featured members of the Greenville Fire Department (GFD) discussing fire safety and the proper use of a fire extinguisher. Participants had the chance to practice their skills using a digital fire extinguisher training system, allowing them to extinguish simulated flames.  

After the presentation, the group convened outside to learn the ins and outs of one of GFD’s ladder trucks.

“It’s important for kids to know and understand fire safety for many reasons,” said Greenville Fire Department Captain Jeff Burt, who has been on the job for over twenty years. “For example, it teaches them what to do if their clothes are on fire. Stop, drop and roll is a method that not only teaches them how to safely put out their clothes but also teaches them to protect their face and lungs by covering their face. Most fire deaths are not caused by burns but by smoke inhalation.

“We also teach how to properly use a fire extinguisher. We use the acronym P.A.S.S which stands for pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep. You aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Most people don’t understand that aiming at the top of the fire won’t extinguish it.”

Following the fire safety session, Docarmo’s students demonstrated basic Taekwondo techniques, including a round of sparring and board breaking. 

“There is a lot of hard work and dedication behind every student,” Cabrera said. “They put their all into practicing and it was a great performance!”

Cabrera emphasized the importance of both physical and mental control in martial arts.

“One thing we always go over with the kids, no matter what their rank, is control,” Cabrera said. “You cannot just throw your hand at a board and hope it breaks or spar with an opponent using all your force. You must understand your opponent and read their movements.”

The event concluded with a thrilling demonstration by Cabrera, who leaped over six students to break a board with a kick, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd.