Thank You Rocky Hill Firefighters!

Thursday was a very special day! One of our very special “helping dads” (Jack’s Dad!) came in with “Uncle Donald” to show us what firefighters wear! This is one of the most important lessons of the whole year, but the children just think they’re having fun!

Our firefighters come in wearing their “street clothes,” carrying a big red duffle bag. Piece by piece, Jack’s dad put on his “fireman clothes.” First, his boots and bunker pants! Then his hood to protect his head, ears and neck! Then he put on his big, heavy coat with lots of pockets! We saw his ID tags which help keep him safe. After he zipped and velcroed his jacket, he put the big air tank on, which helps him breathe in a fire! Next, came the helmet. He talked funny with the helmet on! (We all practiced talking with our hands cupped over our mouths, to show that WE can talk funny too!)

When he had all of his gear on, he showed us how it sounds when his air tank is on! THAT’S a different noise! Again, we all practiced making loud air sounds…sounding something like Darth Vadar, or maybe even Buzz Lightyear!

The most important thing of all…(which gives me goosebumps every year when I talk about it, forgive me!) Is that we learned that if we wake up in the middle of the night and there’s smoke in the house, we should “fall and crawl.” Most importantly, if we see someone dresed in a helmet, big mask, and making “Darth Vadar” sounds, we should crawl TOWARDS him/her and touch his/her glove! We all practiced crawling towards our firefighter, and touching his glove! Some children went confidently, others need a teacher or two to crawl with them!

The looks on the children’s faces were priceless… especially if they had been a bit nervous beforehand! They were so proud of themselves!

Then we all got our coats on and went outside to see the firetruck! The children got to climb on it, see all the things on it, and best of all… squirt the firehose! Wow!

Then we went inside, and discovered that our Humpty Dumpty had fallen off the wall!!!! Oh no! Now, we all know that King’s horses and men are not very helpful in this area, but with the help of our firefighters, we were able to put hime back together with bandaids!!!!!

Thank you, thank you Firefighters! We love the coloring books and firehats!!!!!

Humpty Dumpty thanks you, too!!!