The great thing about being a home school parent is that my children aren't always the only ones learning. Here's...
What I learned today on our field trip today:
1) There is a difference between a fire truck and a fire engine.
2) Firefighters spend a third of their life living at the fire station. Meals and showers are frequently interrupted by emergency calls.
3) Their favorite room is usually the kitchen. There are three refrigerators there, so they can keep better tabs on their own food. (Keep out of my salsa, buddy!)
4) Most firefighters are men...therefore, the TV room is made up of a dozen recliners. (Individual dueling remotes most likely not supplied.)
5) If sleeping when the alarm goes off, a firefighter can wake and be dressed with full gear in just 90 seconds. (And they wear a lot of gear!)
6) Firefighters can be excellent tour guides, even to groups of children ranging from age 2 through 13 (or should I say 40-something) and keep all of our interests.
7) Girls ages 4 and 7 like to return home from seeing a fire station to play fire fighting women, named Captain Elizabeth and Lieutenant Sarah.
8) As much as I admire firefighters and the brave work they do, I really do not want to some day be the mother of two firefighters...but they are welcome to pretend for now.
9) We need to stop procrastinating and formulate a family plan for escape and have a fire drill. (Stop, Drop and Roll!)
10) Firefighters are not only extremely brave individuals, but they have a very generous spirit, as well. I don't think they are thanked nearly enough for all that they do!
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19 comments:
My kids love going to the fire station, it's always a very fun field trip!
I totally agree with #10. Sounds like a great field trip. I know all my kids loved the fire station trip when they were younger too!
Great info - and a good reminder for me to pray for these men and their families!
This is one early childhood adventure I miss since mine are all big now. Firefighters have one of the most intriguing professions.
That's really interesting. What IS the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine? I didn't know there was a difference.
I learned some things from you, too. Sounds like a fun time. I love to listen to my little ones pretend, which is what they are doing right now. :0)
I'd love to take my kids on a field trip of a fire station! There is so much important information about fire safety that they need to know! Sounds like mom took home some knowledge, too!
I can't imagine being a fire-fighter or being married to one. I used to date a guy who was a fire fighter. I think I'd be constantly worrying!
My nephew has been studying towards becoming a firefighter for quite some time. We have a hiring freeze right now, but he works as an EMT and volunteer every chance he gets. The work is dangerous, but quite rewarding..
:)
what a great field trip! My sister is a volunteer firefighter (spends the night at the station and everything) and I know my mom can not go to sleep if Kelly is out on a "run" until she knows she is back safely. It is hard on my mom thinking of her 17 yr old daughter fighting fires, but Kelly is so dedicated to what she is doing.
What fun. I took my kindergarten class each year before I retired and I always learned something new. Have a great weekend!
With a Grampy who is a disabled fireman, we are well informed on this topic. How cool for us when we went to a presentation at a local children's museum and just after we went outside to oooo and aaah over the trucks, we all had to step back and watch in awe because they got a call right then! Girly-girl tugged at me arm and said, "We need to pray, Mom." So the three of us quietly bowed our heads and prayed for those brave men.
Yes, they are underappreciated and underpaid. I think 9/11 helped bring that into the light, but they still deserve a lot of respect. We have taken cookies or cupcakes by the station a few times to thank them "just because."
My daughter's classic line after learning the reality of hell and fire safety all in the same week- "I bet the people in hell want to stop, drop and roll."
my husband retired from firefighting in 1998.
I used to hear the sirens at night and wonder what was happening. Then I' would lie awake.
Now that he's home safe and sound I can't sleep, either.
What's the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine??
In our town, we mostly only have volunteer firemen from the CFA. (country fire authority) When the siren goes off, or when their pagers, do, they run. They come and visit my school/classroom and the students really enjoy having them. The guys keep pestering me to sign up and become a volunteer firefighter too but so far I have declined, not knowing when I could fit it in. LOL
Sounds like a great field trip! Having a fire plan has always worried me. If our house should (God forbid) ever be on fire, I know that Rosie would not be able to get out on her own. *EEK*
Rob was a volunteer firefighter for years and years and he worked in the fire department at Rocky Flats, too. You're so right. The men love the kitchen and the TV room. And it creates complete havoc in the living quarters when a female firefighter arrives.
That family plan is soooo important. We absolutely made sure we had a plan in place as soon as the girls were old enough to comprehend it. Rob was an absolute finatic about that. That, and no live Christmas trees in our house. Sigh. Oh! And checking the batteries in your smoke alarms every six months, when the time changed.
Hmmm...my pictures disappeared and I had to republish...
Anyway, I am amazed just how many of you have family who are fire fighters...I'm so impressed! (Michelle, your sister's a firefighter at age 17? Wow!)
And I didn't say I knew what the difference between a fire truck and engine was, only that there WAS a difference...heehee
Seriously, it's something to do with the fire engine having an extra hose....;)Next time, I'll pay better attention!
I am glad that the firemen &(women) finally got the message accross that I have been concerned about & bugged you about for quite awhile, & that is to have an escape plan & drills & a place to meet in case of a fire or other catastrophy. Bless them All. I don't know th difference either between a fire engine & fire truck
I learned some great fire tips recently:
Not only do you make a fire escape plan but decide how you and your hubby will work together to get your kids out.
For instance our house is long and skinny. Hubby will break out our window and I'll crawl out. I'll wait outside the nursery window (when baby is born) as he busts that window and hands out baby#2. Then I meet him at Little King's window as he busts that out and comes out with Little King.
We were advised to make a very specific plan depending on where the fire is. Especially our long skinny house. Not just WHERE you will meet but how you as the parent will get your children out!
Hopefully we won't have a fire but I feel way more prepared now, and we have a "fire bat" which is a short heavy "bat" that you can use to bust out windows. BTW- we also learned that prior to busting out a window you need to shut your door. The reason. When you bust your window there will be lots of oxygen, the fire will quickly go to you and your window if your door is open b/c fire craves oxygen. Therefore shutting your door prevents the fire from getting to you quick.
Also safer to sleep with your doors closed. I'll have to post on this.
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