Fire station visit

One of my visiting teachers arranged a visit to the firehouse for the kids she watches, and even though they didn't end up being able to go, we jumped on the chance to go on a tour of the fire station. The kids got to climb in one of the big trucks and sit on the chairs and everything. The oldest and youngest liked it, but the 2 and 3 year olds couldn't be persuaded to climb in.

 

Annie prefered to stand by the fire fighter equipment.

 

We got to check out the ambulance and ride on their new gurney that has buttons you push to raise and lower it. 

 

Rachel got to hold the hose head and see how heavy it was.

 

They turned on the fire engine so they could spray some water out of it. Annie was not a fan of the noise.

 

Then those who wanted to got to take a turn at spraying the water out.

When Rachel's friend Lydia was adjusting the spread of the spray she got me real good. :)

A picture of all of us that went:

 

After checking out all the equipment one of the fire fighters dressed all up in his equipment and showed them what would happen if they were ever trapped in their house in a fire. 

It was really cool. I had never thought about doing anything like this before, but after having been through the tour I think it's a good idea for everyone to do. They teach the kids that even if firefighters look a little different (ie. scary), and sound like aliens with their masks on, they're there to help. So that hopefully they don't freak out and try to run away from them if there's ever a fire they need to be rescued from. They talked about what the kids should do if there's ever a fire and they can't get out of their room (lay by the window, not hide under a bed or in a closet, and make lots of noise) and about never playing with matches or lighters. 

If Rachel ever wants to be a firefighter she's got a lot of growing to do. ;) 

This tour of the fire station was definitely one of the highlights of the month for all of us. And it's free! All you have to do is call and get an appointment. We'll have to do this again in a year or two.