By Vernon Clark
The Philadelphia Inquirer
NORTH PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Though he is only 12, Darrell Scott knows just what to do in an emergency: Stay calm.
When a nighttime fire broke out in his family’s North Philadelphia rowhouse last month, Darrell recalled what he had learned in the Junior Fire Patrol program at his school, then sprang to action, saving the lives of 11 family members.
Friday, in a ceremony at John Moffet School in Northern Liberties, Darrell received an award for heroism from Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.
“I didn’t know it was coming,” Darrell said of the fire that started March 14 in his family’s kitchen. “But I knew it could happen. So I just prepared myself.”
Darrell told his mother, nine siblings, and a cousin to crawl under the smoke to get out of the house.
Nazalina Dupree, Darrell’s mother, said she was screaming when the fire broke out.
“He told me to ‘Always be calm, Mom,’ ” recalled Dupree, who attended the ceremony. “I am proud of him.”
The fire damaged the home and the family has moved.
Long before the fire, Darrell had an escape route and a predetermined gathering site for his family.
“My plan was that if the fire wasn’t at the front of the house, we would go outside through the front door and go to the storefront across the street,” Darrell said.
He then called 911.
At an assembly in the school’s auditorium, Darrell was cheered and applauded by about 100 fourth and fifth graders wearing red shirts as Ayers presented him with the award.
School staff said the red shirts were in honor of the Junior Fire Patrol program at the school. The program, which is in 11 elementary schools, teaches children about fire safety in their homes and schools. It is coordinated by the Fire Department and funded by the University of Pennsylvania.
Principal Monica Guzman hailed Darrell’s actions as setting an outstanding example for other students.
“Not only was it important for what he did for his own family, but he became a role model for all the other students to be able to see that it’s not just theory, it can be action,” Guzman said.
Speaking to the children, Ayers praised Darrell’s heroics.
“We’re talking about a brave young man, an educated young man, a courageous young man, this morning,” Ayers said.
Darrell “did what we asked for, that you go home and set up a home fire-escape plan, that you make sure you have working smoke alarms, one on every level. . . . That’s important,” Ayers said.
The commissioner then read from a proclamation presented to Darrell: “Philadelphia Fire Department salutes Darrell Scott for your commitment, dedication, and service. Through your presence of mind, calm and responsible action, and knowledge of safe emergency procedures, you represent heroism, wisdom, and grace.”
Asked how he had stayed calm through the ordeal, Darrell said: “I was just breathing in and breathing out. I just kept breathing.”
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