H.H.E. Field Trip to Fire Department

After our trip to the Knoxville Police Station we walked across the street as a group and took a tour of the Knoxville City Fire & Rescue Department. 

We got to meet a paramedic and she explained some of her uniform and how the volunteer system works.  They carry pagers around with them and they have certain tones for certain volunteers.  She opened up an ambulance and let the kids wander through it and ask questions.

A fireman explained his uniform to the kids as he put it on.  There was good discussion about fires and fire safety and plans for what to do if there is a fire at your house.  We came home that night and discussed again what our family would do and where we would meet if there were a fire here.  I love field trips, they usually trigger great conversation later.

Once they get the uniform on it's very different looking.  For short people it could be scary.  The oxygen tank makes lots of noise and beeps. So this fire fighter got down on their level and they pretended what to do if there were in a burning house and they saw a fire man. I had Wayne and Danielle go up and touch him.  You are to go TOWARD the fire fight, not under your bed and AWAY from the firefighter.  In the fire station is a great place to become familiar with a fire fighter.  Lets just hope we never have to meet one in our own home.

They got to climb in on and around a fire truck as well. 

I think Tori even looks interested... maybe. 

Thank you Knoxville Fire & Rescue Department for the great field trip! 

H.H.E. Field Trip to Police Station

Our Home Education Co-op has a great field trip system set up.  They schedule a field trip about once a month, and we usually try to attend.  In January we went to the police station.  Police Chief

Daniel Losada, (also knows as the juggling police man)  did a superb job of giving us a tour of the facilities, explaining his uniform, showing us his vehicles, and answering all our questions.

In the 2nd photo he is working his way around his belt that he puts on each morning for work.  When he puts that on, he adds 22 pounds to carry around all day long.  He passed around some handcuffs for the kids to hold and feel.  He explained his taser.  Wow.  It was a good visual for us to talk about later... why would anyone ever want to be a criminal and on the wrong side of the law?

The chief took us out side after a tour of the building and let us look at a patrol car.

He talked about the lights.  The RADAR system.  I learned that they have antennae on the front AND the back, so once you pass the parked car you should NOT stomp on the gas and feel safe, because he can still record your speed even as you are pulling away from him.  Pays to go on field trips.  I learned a lot.

Tori learned what is was like to be in the back seat of a patrol car.  Not too comfortable.  Plastic windows back there so one couldn't spit on the patrolman if they felt the need to.  Not too much leg room back their either.    The city of Knoxville does have a neat ride along program that the kids can do, sort of an abbreviated apprenticeship, if they would like to see what a patrolman does while on duty. 

Chief Losada really got up close and personal with the kids.  Here is a photo of Milo in the front seat of the patrol car learning all about the lights and sirens.  How COOL is that?

So we all gathered around for a photo op. 

Thanks Chief Losada!  Our family enjoyed the field trip to the Knoxville City Police Station.