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Homeschooling at the fire station
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We recently had the dubious privilege of seeing ten fire trucks roar into our neighborhood. We live on a circle and with so many trucks, they were stacked up like trains at a roundhouse. Thankfully, the firefighters were able to locate the problem at our neighbor's house before anything caught fire.
During this incident I realized what an impact our fire station field trip had on my daughter. As the trucks arrived, she told me about the ladder trucks and the chemical truck. She wondered where they would get the water, because she did not see any hydrants. Then she answered her own question by identifying the water truck. As more trucks continued to arrive with sirens screaming and blinding lights, she remembered how loud the trucks had been at the fire station.
Our homeschool fire station field trip was arranged by one of the moms in our homeschool group, and although there were only fifteen of us, the station was very accommodating. The firefighters were incredibly welcoming and the kids received an amazing tour. They saw many different trucks (even an antique!), the kitchen and the rec space. They learned about the county-wide radio system and heard some of the calls. The firefighter who gave the tour explained how he always keeps his gear in his truck, just in case he is needed, even when off-duty. Trucks were being cleaned and equipment inspected while we were there. Because we live near the water, they were able to see a fire rescue boat and hear stories of search and rescue missions. The station was not busy, so they were allowed to walk through an ambulance. My daughter still remembers all the compartments on the outside of the ambulance, especially the ones that held a car seat and a teddy bear.
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The best, and scariest, part was seeing a firefighter in full gear. The kids could hear how loud his breathing was, through his helmet. The firefighter told them to listen for that sound if they are ever in a burning building, because it means help is coming. And although every parent prays it will never happen, we were all glad our kids would have an idea of what to expect if they were trapped in a fire.
If you are doing a lesson on fire safety, or you have not been on a tour of your local fire station, gather your homeschool friends and plan a field trip! The kids will love the sights and sounds and they will never suspect that they are learning something along the way.
Information on the web: www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/teachers/sesame.shtm
Examiner Article on: Fire Museum of Maryland
