This past friday we took a special field trip to the Mankato Fire Station where we met Fire Fighter Bubba , who showed us around. We got to see everything from the bunks, where they sleep, the kitchen, where they eat to the workout room, the school room and all of the usual fire trucks and gear. The kids had a great time learning about all of the different things and what they are used for. The kids were so excited. They were asking tons of questions and couldn't wait to see the next thing.
Fire Fighter Bubba showing the kids all of the fire fighters that work at this station.
The kitchen & diningroom
Showing the kids how the fire pole works.
Here they are in the bunk room.
Here is a group shot in one of their equipment trailers.
Climbing into one of the trucks.
Arin helping, my niece Annabelle, out of the truck.
Fire Fighter Bubba showing the kids how the thermal imaging camera works.
They thought it was so cool that they could "see" us on there.
Annabelle checking out all of the knobs and levers.
Fire Fighter Bubba explaining what each of them is for.
Everyone got a chance to hold the nozzle to see how heavy it was.
Exploring all the compartments on the trucks.
Fire Fighter Howard slid down the pole to show the kids how they do it when they get a call.
All the kids watching Fire Fighter Howard come down the pole.
Then Fire Fighter Howard lifted each child up a ways on the pole so they could take a turn "sliding down" since they aren't allowed to slide down the whole pole for real.
Abby
AJ
Eva
Arin
Lexi
Hayden
Jasmin
Fire Fighter Bubba showing the kids some of the tools that they use.
Showing the kids the fire extinguisher and explaining more about fire safety.
Checking out another truck
More equipment
Then Fire Fighter Bubba put on his turn-out gear and explained to the kids what the purpose of each piece was for. This also shows the kids that there is a real person under all that scarey gear and that they are 'safe' people if they would ever encounter them during a fire.
AJ lifting the air tank to see how heavy it was (about 25lbs, I think they said)
Showing the kids how they get the ladders off the top of the truck.
Collapsable ladder demonstration
Group shot...(L-R, Top-bottom)
Fire Fighter Bubba, Arin, Dawson (Sara's Nephew), Abby, AJ, Sara
Len (Sara's dad), Annabelle (Sara's niece), Sean, Makynna, Hayden, Jasmin, Eva & Lexi
Then they all wanted their own picture with Fire Fighter Bubba
A big thank you to all of the fire fighters for taking the time to show us around the fire station. We really had a great time!
A millipede who has 250 legs
An African Skink, a lizzard that spends almost it's whole life in trees.
Makynna watching intently
Lexi & Jasmin watching
Tyler, Arin & Connor got to stand along the back since they were big kids and they could see better.
A parrot named Holly that talked, sang and made all sorts of noises.
A striped skunk named Flower.
Makynna still watching, but got tired of standing.
Lexi and Jasmin watched so nicely. I think they were very interested in learning about the animals.
Connor raising his hand to volunteer.
A Bull Snake- the largest snake that is native to MN.
