Natchez &8212; A call for help has gone out from the Natchez Fire Department.

Letters to businesses, civic clubs and churches are in the mail, and Chief Paul K. Johnson hopes for the same kind of response he has had for the past four to five years to the fire prevention education program.

&8220;We&8217;ve always had wonderful response,&8221; Johnson said. &8220;A lot of businesses participate, a lot of churches. I just got a check for $95 today from Rose Hill Baptist Church.&8221;

The program, which emphasizes fire safety and burn prevention for children, is made possible through the National Fire Safety Council, Johnson said.

Through donations, he purchases pictures, posters, coloring books and other materials that go to elementary students in all the Natchez schools.

&8220;We will coordinate and distribute more than 4,000 pieces of age-appropriate, educationally correct fire safety materials to preschool and elementary age children,&8221; Johnson said.

Letters ask businesses and individuals to sponsor groups of students. A sponsorship of 50 students is $95; 75 students, $142.50; 100 students, $190; and 200 students, $380. A sponsorship of 30 students at $57 also is available.

Those who contribute to the program will be acknowledged in all the activity manuals, Johnson said.

Johnson said he is certain the program works.

&8220;We believe the program is very important. There are fewer fires started by kids,&8221; he said. &8220;And I can walk up to a fifth-grade kid now &8212; and I have done this &8212; and say, &8216;what do you do if your clothes catch on fire,&8217; and that kid immediately stops, drops and rolls.&8221;

The teachers and the students like the materials, Johnson said.

This program is the only one of its type conducted by the fire department during the year, Johnson said. Donations are tax-deductible.

Checks should be made payable to the National Fire Safety Council and mailed to Johnson at Natchez Fire Department, P.O. Box 1185, Natchez, MS 39121.