My sweet junior PTA group visited the fire department last week, and we had a blast and learned SO much!  We brought the crew new stainless steel cookware to show our support and say thanks for all of their hard work and sacrifice!

 

After checking out lots of cool equipment on the outside of the truck, the girls got the full experience inside the truck as well.  The captain was showing some of us moms how the machines are all inside of their chairs.  From the time the bell rings until they are pulling out of their drive-way is a total of 2 minutes.  They run and jump in and then latch on the big oxygen tank and equipment once they are already seated and buckled.  I don’t know if you can see it or not, but there is a big hole in the chair that the oxygen tank fits it, making their backs flat with the seat back, even while wearing their equipment.  Once they arrive at the scene, they pull the yellow bar on the seat cushion, and everything is released with them and they are good to go fight fires!  So while the truck is on the road, they can finish getting all hooked up to their equipment, not wasting a second! 

They did a demonstration of how the stretcher gets on and off the ambulance, and Anna Kate was hooked!  It’s completely electronic these days.  No more heavy lifting, which means less injuries and a gentler ride for the patients.  It was all so efficient!  I wanted to mention this because Anna Kate said seeing the stretcher demonstration was her favorite part!  It was pretty cool!

 

Rose had a blast driving the big fire truck, but Anna Kate was too timid.  Some things she is just not interested in doing, and this was one of them.  She had fun checking everything out with her feet on the ground!  Rose, on the other hand, didn’t want to get out!  She’s always up for anything that’s adventurous!

I love how the girls stick together in crowds and take care of each other!  All the Pond girls love being together and feel safe when one of their sissies is close by.

 

Lastly, we got a tour inside the fire house!  It was so fun hearing all of their stories, recipes, seeing their living room, kitchen and even bunking quarters.  We had a total blast, and Anna Kate picked up some souvenirs (and asked if she could take some home for her big sissy too, aww).

Anna Kate was upset because Noelle didn’t get to see everything, and after one of the firefighters overheard her talking to me about that on our way out, he told us to bring her back one weekend to check it out!  They said they love visitors, so we will definitely be back!  What a fun little educational outing!

*This was weeks ago!  I’m way behind on blogging!