Smokey Bear shows Jerry Coates, center, and Cathy Glenn, both of Zelienople, how to handle a fire extinguisher on Oct. 5, 1971, during a Fire Prevention Month lesson at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School. Butler Eagle File Photo

Firefighters got some backup in promoting fire safety in early October 1971.

Smokey Bear was making his way across Butler County for Fire Prevention Month, and stopped at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School Oct. 6, 1971, with Zelienople and Harmony firefighters to teach kindergarten classes about fire safety.

Smokey led the children in educational activities and gave them coloring books to remind them of proper fire safety prevention methods.

Sixth-grade students in all Butler County schools also would receive home inspection forms they could complete and return to their schools.

Smokey was scheduled to appear in an upcoming parade in Butler, where he met the mayor at the time, Frank LeFevre.