Fire! Fire!

Thursday July 18th 2019

We came into class very excited because our firetruck and excavator were setup for us to play! The excavator was near the ball pit so we can try to excavate it and the fire truck was in the middle of the room. Wait, we didn’t have a fire so Hisami took the red blanket and used it was a fire. We pretended to put it out with our hose and used the ladder so we can reach the sky. The excavator was a bit harder to use. We had to pull the lever and use the string. It wasn’t as durable as the firetruck so the joint broke within a few uses. Luckily, L had an idea to attach it back on.

We didn't have much time today because we were going to the fire station. Before we went Kai showed us a couple videos showing the inside of a car or truck and asked us what we think they were. The first video we thought was a firetruck because it had lots of buttons. The second clip we thought was a fire truck too because of the sound it made and there was a red flashing spot on the GPS display. The third clip we thought it could be a bus, police car or an ambulance. After we had our guesses, Kai told us which one was which. The order was police car, firetruck and ambulance. Then he went over what’s on a fire truck. What did we see? We saw windows, lights, hoses, and lights on the top. There was also another image with the tools that the firefighters use. There was a hammer, a thing to knock the door, something to hit the bad guy, something to cut rocks, and an ax we thought.

It was a uphill climb to the fire station but we were energetic and marched most of the way there. We marched to “left, left, left, right, left”. On the way we also saw a police van which we weren’t able to see yesterday! When we arrived all the firefighter were outside to greet us. It made us feel so special to be welcomed to their workplace. We started by looking at all the vehicles first then asked questions later just in case they had am emergency and had to leave. Fujinamisan took us around and we looked at the biggest truck first. He explained that the ladder can go up to 30 meters. That’s 8 floors! There is a seat near the back of the firetruck which controls the ladder. He showed us were the rings on the back of the firetruck is to connect the water hose. There are four stabilizers on the sides of the truck for when the ladder is all the way extended.

We looked at the smaller firetruck next. Fujinamisan asked us if we see a difference in the hoses. We couldn’t tell the difference but actually they were different. They rolled the hoses different depending on how the need to lay it out. One can be pulled and the other has to be thrown out. We walked around the truck and he pointed out the side view mirrors. There were five different size and shaped mirrors on the left side and two different ones on the right. They even let us sit in the drivers seat. The teachers thought it was cool too and hopped in. We looped around the firetruck and in the back they had a smaller vehicle. The small vehicle is also attached to the hose and is used for the small streets of Tokyo.

It was a lot already but our tour wasn’t over, we still have the ambulance to look at. The firefighters opened the side door and back door so we could walk through it. We noticed something when walking through. There was a yellow and pink thing hanging up top. What was that? It was a neck harness. Fujinamisan demonstrated it on Sayaka and we all wanted a turn to see if we can move while wearing the neck brace. Nope, not at all it was hard for us to pick something up from the ground. Fujinamisan also pointed to a bed in the ambulance and asked us if we knew what it was. Of course we know what a bed is! Well not this particular bed. He pulled out the bed out of the ambulance so easily and was able to move it up and down. WOW! It was amazing! 

After the ambulance it was Q&A time.

Ja: Why do they go fast?

Fujinamisan: The fire is getting bigger and more dangerous so we need to help them ASAP. To go fast we use the siren and lights. Safety is #1

Ke: Why do you have an ambulance in the fire station?

Na: Maybe they have doctors too?

Fujinamisan: No doctors here but they have special license skill to help people for 1st aid.

Na: In the ambulance, do they have shots?

Fujinamisan: Yes, they help before as support before they see the doctors.

Kai: How many people can fit in the trucks?

Fujinamisan: 8 in the big and 7 in the small. 3 in the ambulance.

Kai: What are the working hours?

Fujinamisan: We have 3 teams and we rotate the shifts. Each shift starts at 8:30 till 8:40 the next day. The 10 mins is to communicate and update each other about the station.

B: How many days do you need to put the fire out?

Fujinamisan: It depends on the fire. Big buildings many hours and many people.

There was even a firewoman in the station. She was the commander of the smaller firetruck. That was an amazing experience at the fire station. Right when we were about to leave we heard the intercoms go off. There was a lady that had a neck injury but it was in Ginza so our firefighters didn’t have to leave. Thank you so much firefighters for showing us your stations, trucks and ambulance.

When we got back we reflected on what we liked.

Tai: I like the bed because it goes up and down.

Sh: I like the small and big truck.

E: I like the big fire truck because it has big ladder.

Ke: I like the bed because like up and down.

Na: I like the small fire cars.

Ja: I like shobosha long ladder because I like to ride that one,, big one.

Br: I like the bed doing up and down.

It seems like the ambulance bed is a big hit with us! Another awesome day in summer school! We wonder if we will go somewhere tomorrow?

Love,

Flowers Class Children