Junior Firefighters

Last Friday was a special day at preschool. The fire truck came. The kids, and parents, waited out on the lawn for the arrival of the huge red engine and three friendly fire fighters. Michael loved it. Sam, as seen below biting his fingernails, not so much. He spent the entire time holding onto my leg or twenty feet away.The fire men were so nice. They taught the kids what to do if they're trapped in a burning house and the fire fighters are coming to look for them. It's scary but it's nice to know what they should do. We talked about smoke detectors, practiced stop, drop, and roll, and saw a fireman in full uniform with his oxygen mask on so they hopefully won't be afraid to go to him if he ever needs to rescue them.

It's a common problem that small children hide when there's a fire and are afraid to go to the strangers in "Darth Vadar" masks. It really does make the same sound as Darth Vadar when they breath through their masks. This fireman took off his mask so we could all see that it was a smiling, nice man underneath it. The most important thing we learned is not to hide from the firemen. Instead, say, "Here I am!" until someone gets you out. Typing that makes me cry, but I am glad they know that now. I pray they never ever have to do that.
Michael was as brave as could be and stepped right up to have a turn with the fire hose. He turned it on and sprayed a traffic cone on the grass.
That deed earned him a Junior Firefighter badge sticker which he VERY proudly wears on his jacket. He really had to raise his right hand and swear to do something fire-related in order to get his badge.
Here it is!
Junior firefighter Michael! Way to go buddy!
The truck left with lights and signals blazing and the kids were dumb struck. Needless to say, they've been playing firemen ever since!