Leonard Elementary first-graders in teacher Jessica Peyerk’s class were paid a special visit last week by the Addison Township Fire Department.
But don’t worry, there was no 9-1-1 emergency.
It was just Firefighter/Paramedic Joe Fisher coming to talk to kids about fire safety and answer their questions.
‘How do you put the fire station out when it’s on fire?? asked student Josh Schoenherr.
‘Call another fire department,? Fisher replied. ‘That happens a lot actually. A lot of fire (stations) catch on fire. You’d be surprised how many.?
‘Do you always have to wear heavy equipment ? even when you sleep?? asked student Roxanne Underwood.
‘No, but you have to have it ready to get on in less than a minute when the pager goes off,? Fisher said.
In addition to answering questions, Fisher had some students put on his heavy fireman’s coat and demonstrate the stop-drop-and-roll fire safety technique.
He also showed them all the various pieces of firefighting and rescue equipment stored aboard the pumper truck he drove to the school.
After examining the tools, the tiny first-graders got to climb up in the pumper’s driver’s seat, then go around back to view the many levers, switches and buttons used to control water flow through the truck.
Despite some requests, Fisher would not spray the student, their teacher or this reporter with the fire hose.
He did, however, run the lights and siren in the parking lot before leaving, which was considered very cool.
Each student received a goodie bag containing a coloring book, crayons and a plastic fire hat, all courtesy of the fire department