9-Year-Old Boy Rescues Family from Apartment Fire.

While enjoying the holiday and relaxing in his room, he heard his mother yell "fire!" from the kitchen. He rushed down the hall to find the oven in flames and, wasting no time, confidently started giving instructions to his parents. Thanks to a recent fire safety lesson taught at his school, he knew the life-saving steps they needed to take.

The frightening incident occurred when Shivansh’s mother had started cooking a pizza. Plastic cooking utensils accidentally left in the baking pan soon ignited. Shivansh’s mother panicked and screamed for help when she saw heavy, toxic smoke filling the air and spreading throughout the apartment. 

Shivansh and his father teamed up to complete the steps the boy had learned at school. First, they dialed 911 and then pulled the building’s fire alarm.Then they moved quickly to evacuate the building’s occupants as safely as possible. 

Shivansh helped usher his family members out of the apartment building. He and his father then ran back into the building to alert neighbors about the fire and urged them to evacuate. 

"You can buy stuff at any time, but you can't (buy life)," said Shivansh. "Life is priceless." 

All the building’s occupants were able to evacuate safely. The Fire Department quickly arrived on scene and controlled the fire before it spread to nearby apartments. 

The Mount Lebanon Fire Department had delivered the fire safety program at Shivansh's school, Jefferson Elementary School, as well as other area schools. The department has managed the program for 30 years, in which firefighters deliver serious messages in a non-threatening way while imparting beneficial lessons that serve children throughout their lives. Their safety lessons aim to educate children on the main causes of home fires and how to best prevent them. They also empower young students by educating them on how to protect themselves and their families should a fire emergency occur.

"We're very fortunate that we have this partnership and we're able to get these lessons. Being able to prevent that from happening, knowing our kids know what to do so that they can help themselves, that's fantastic," said lieutenant Kristopher Siegert, fire safety educator at the Mount Lebanon Fire Department.

The Mount Lebanon Fire Department’s Fire recognized Shivansh’s courageous actions with an award ceremony, a golden fire truck and a ride in a real fire truck along with his family.

"You can be a hero if you listen in class," said Shivansh.

The Foundation for A Better Life and PassItOn believe that Shivansh is a hero. His action is a great example of the value of preparedness. It is reminder that it is better to have prepared than to look back with regret. In an emergency, knowing what to do saves time and lives. Shivansh’s awareness, quick thinking and vigilance helped to keep his family and neighbors safe. Help us celebrate Shivansh by sharing his inspiring story.

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