B.B. sees a large red vehicle with flashing lights. He looks around and notices that a young lady has the same picture on her shirt! Looking confused, he walks over to her, taps her leg, and points to her shirt. “Oh, hello,” she says to B.B. “Are you curious about the firetruck?” B.B. shakes his head yes. “Well, I could show you one up close if you would like.” B.B. nods his head nervously because the truck looks so big. “Let’s head over to my volunteer fire station and show you everything about being a firefighter!”

Picking up B.B., they go up the street. He notices a large building with big doors and a red sign. The firewoman says, “This is the fire station where we have all of our trucks and gear in case someone has an emergency.” B.B. looks all around. There are so many trucks and so much gear to see. The firewoman says to B.B., “Let’s start with our gear. Sometimes little ones can think we look scary with it on.” With a smile on his face, B.B. shakes his head yes.

The firewoman takes B.B. over to the gear rack and explains to him all of the different parts of her gear and how it will protect her. “First, we put on our pants and jacket. They’re fireproof, which means they won’t catch fire. They will keep me safe from the flames! Next, we put on the gloves and boots, making sure everything fits snugly. Then, we put on a special hood called a Nomex. Lastly, I put on my big helmet and air tank, which helps me breathe when there is a lot of smoke.” She then puts on her gear to show B.B. how it can make her look a little different. She was right! The gear makes her look bigger, and that big tank that helps her breathe in fires sounds kind of scary. She takes her gear off and tells B.B., “Even though I put the gear on, I am still the same person inside. It’s always a friendly person trying to help!” B.B. thinks about that. She was still the friendly person with her gear on!

The firewoman then says, “Here, let me show you some trucks!” She shows B.B. the fire engine, which is a long truck with a big pump and a water tank. The fire engine carries water and hoses that connect to a hydrant to help put out fires. The next trucks she shows B.B. are the pumper and tanker trucks. The tanker truck’s job is to haul water in its big tank to help where a hydrant may not be available. The pumper truck is a smaller truck designed to help with vehicle accidents and medical calls. She tells B.B. that this truck has a bit of everything on it, like equipment for fighting fires and first aid supplies for helping people. The brush truck is a medium-sized truck equipped to help with forest fires and go where big trucks can’t. The last piece of equipment is the side-by-side. She tells B.B. this is made for off-road use and is a special little vehicle that helps get to people who need help in the woods and assists with forest fires. Each truck has a special job to keep everyone safe and put out fires!

She tells B.B. that the number on the side of the trucks helps identify the fire stations. This fire station is Station 13. Suddenly, a loud BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP goes off, followed by the sound of the siren. Wow, that was loud! The firewoman tells B.B. that they have a fire call. She asks B.B. if he would like to go on the call with her. B.B. is very excited to see what the firewoman does, so he shakes his head yes.

Soon, more firefighters start rushing into the fire station. They are all getting dressed in their gear and getting ready to go. The firewoman puts B.B. in the brush truck and buckles him up. B.B. gives the firewoman a curious look. He notices that the side-by-side is attached to the brush truck on a small trailer. The firewoman explains to B.B. that there is a small forest fire they need to help put out.

After a couple of minutes of driving, B.B. starts to notice the smoke. Soon, they stop, and the firewoman jumps out, grabs B.B., and puts him in the side-by-side with her. She then grabs a hose off the back of the truck, and they head toward the fire. B.B. stares in amazement as he sees all the firemen and firewomen rushing around to put out the fire and save the forest. B.B. recognizes all the different fire trucks and equipment the firewoman showed him at the station. Soon, they have the fire out, and the firewoman says to B.B., “Even though some of the forest has burned, it will grow back.” B.B. is happy to hear this. All the firefighters load their tools and equipment back onto the trucks. B.B. realizes how important it is to be a volunteer and protect the things you love.

Once back at the station, B.B. helps the firewoman clean the equipment and put everything back in working order for the next call. “B.B., it is very important to always be ready. That is why we put everything back in working order as soon as we can. You never know when the next call may be,” the firewoman tells B.B. She then gives B.B. his very own firefighter hat. “B.B., I am very happy that you came to check out the fire station today and helped put the brush fire out! Consider yourself a firefighter here always,” the firewoman says to B.B. with a smile on her face. B.B. gives her a hug. “B.B., when you’re a little older, you can join your local fire department as a volunteer! You’ll go through special training and learn how to use our gear and help people in emergencies.”

What an adventure it has been at the fire station!