Our 16 year old granddaughter, Rhyanne is part of the Cadet program with our local fire department. She has been part of the this program for the last 3 years. They were previously called Fire Explorer’s. Last year she got an award for most improved and this year she got the great honor of Cadet of the Year! She was appointed as Cadet Secretary so she helps in many areas.
Rhyanne says, “I like being a Cadet because I learn many life skills and it helps me grow as a person. ” I love this! We know she will go very far. So proud of you Rhyanne!
I was so excited when she decided to join them and is pursuing this path. Growing up my dad was a firefighter. He started out as Lieutenant at Bethesda Fire Department in Maryland but was a Sargent during my childhood in Silver Spring, Maryland for the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue.
On October 13th we attended the Wauconda Fire Department open house where Rhyanne and some other Cadets were volunteering. They had different stations to help assist like serving food, a dispatcher teaching kids how to dial to call the FD if there is a fire or they need help and more.
Rhyanne was outside where she helped little kids hold the water hose to spray into a wooden frame that looked like the inside of a house, a fire safety simulator.
They would go from that to the fire truck where they would pull the cord to help raise the stretcher basket . From there she would take the kids over to put on a fire fighter or Chief’s coat and hat then run a little maze carrying an extinguisher.
There was a sonar team and the fire fighter’s did Hazmat and extrication demos, there was a dive tank for a dive rescue and they also did a side by side demo to show protected and unprotected room without a fire sprinkler and one that had one.
Kev and I walked through the Homeland Security Unified Command Post truck. Absolutely cool! Took a peek inside an ambulance and of course a fire truck too.
They had an old fashioned fire truck there as well. I loved it! Stepping inside a fire department always brings back memories of my childhood.
We had a fun time. And we love to support the Wauconda Fire District (and all firefighter’s) when we can.
Here are some of my top fire safety tips.
- Make sure to install smoke alarms and test them out monthly
- Get with your family and plan a fire escape plan
- Teach your kids how to call 911
- Always remove lint from your dryer
- Do not leave anything on top of your stove
- Be cautious burning candles in your house
Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher in the kitchen?
I believe the top causes of house fires are smoking and kitchen fires. If there is a small kitchen fire (in a pan on the stove), quickly put a lid over it or use baking soda to help put it out. DO NOT USE WATER! But the best way to put out a small kitchen fire is to use a fire extinguisher. Here’s how….
Once you pull the pin from the fire extinguisher be sure to aim the nozzle towards the bottom of the fire and move it side to side sweeping it back and forth until the fire is out.
My dad says they still teach Stop, Drop and Roll (do you remember learning that?) if you catch on fire so be sure you and your kids know all about that. Plus he says NEVER squirt lighter fluid to start a charcoal fire. And never use gas to get a fire going.
This tip reminds me of my friend whose son at age 6 was badly burnt and in critical condition for some time when a fire flash burned. Another friend’s older son put gas on a pile of leaves to set it on fire and ended up in the ER with burns. Please, please, please be careful. You do not want to have to go through what these families did!
Fire Family Life: Growing Up in the Firefighter Family
I don’t have a very good memory but I do recall going to my dad’s fire station as a kid and there still being an ornate fire pole in the middle of the bunk room. His other stations only had one floor so no need for a pole. When he was a Lieutenant his fire house had a 30 ft high pole with a rubber pad at the base.
Dad used to cook dinner for his other firefighter’s at the station. He’s a good cook! He said he did that so he wouldn’t have to do the dishes lol
The other memory I had was when someone dropped off a Basset Hound puppy at the fire station. Abraham (Abe) became ours and I had great memories of that pup growing up.
We are very excited for Rhyanne’s future should she choose to become part of the fire family. I pray that she and her family have fond memories of the fire family life like I did.
Tell me your best fire safety tip.
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