As homeschoolers in NY we are required to cover a bunch of subjects every year, and fire safety is one of them. This year we talked about all the usual things – a family evacuation plan, fire extinguishers, and the always important “Stop Drop and Roll’. We followed up with a great field trip to the local fire department with our homeschool group. The firemen were extremely friendly and patient with the kids. They showed them how they slide down the fire pole and let them try on their uniforms, hats, boots and even their masks. Then they let them get in the trucks, and spray water from the fire hoses. A fire call came in just as the tour was ending, so the firemen had to leave in a hurry. The kids loved seeing the firemen jump into their uniforms and take off with the sirens going. They invited us to come back another time and try out the fire truck ladders.
So last week we went back to the Fire Department, and they brought out the ladder truck, put down the stabilizers and took the kids for rides in the bucket. It was amazing. My son was one of the brave ones, so he went up in the first group. I thought they were just going to raise the ladder up, but they kept extending it higher and higher, and by the end were about 70 feet up. Here is the ladder fully extended, with my son at the top.
The kids had a blast! Once the ladder was fully extended they started turning it, and took the kids on a 360 degree ride, and pointed out all the city landmarks to the kids as they turned. The firemen were very patient, and talked to the kids who were nervous and took them up only as far as the kids wanted. They offered to let the adults go up too, but most of us passed on the chance. It was a great field trip, and a unique opportunity for all of us.
