Field Trip: Fire Department

Photo credit: San Mateo Consolidated Fire Dept

Where: Foster City Fire Department (1040 E. Hillsdale Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404)

When : All year, with appointment

Who   : Ages 5+. Max group size 35. 

Cost   : Free

Notes : The fire department is next to the City Hall, it's best to park there and walk over (610 Foster City Boulevard

Foster City, CA 94404).

We were thrilled to be able to reserve a tour of the Foster City Fire Department. Scheduling was straightforward, and there is a choice of which station to tour (the consolidated fire department serves Belmont, San Mateo and Foster City). We chose Foster City as it was larger, and had additional equipment such as a boat/jet ski for lagoon rescue.

At the station, the crew was waiting for us; most of the presentation was done by fireman Tristan ("Fireman T" to the kids). He started by showing us around fire truck #28, opening each door where the hoses, medical equipment, or other equipment (such as a heat scanner) were stored.

Turning on the engine lights to show their brightness

The children were excited, some having read up about fire equipment prior to the trip, and pointing out equipment names. The crew also demonstrated what it was like to suit up with protection gear - a hefty 50 lbs which makes staying fit essential. The CPAT (physical ability test) details other requirements as carrying an additional 25 lbs (for the hoses filled with water). He also explained how the SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) helps the firefighter breathe but also gives a Darth Vader appearance and sound, asking us not to panic if we were approached during emergencies by personnel. 

They also showed the boats used for rescue or recovery work on the lagoon.

At the end of the session, we had a Q&A session, some of the questions coming from students or parents, some of them asked by the fire fighters to see if we knew some fire safety basics.

Q: What should you do if you get too close to fire and it gets onto you?

A: Stop, drop and roll

Q:What are some common causes of fires in households?

A: Stove fires - use a fire blanket, cookie sheet or pot lid to cover the flames and let it burn out. Do NOT use water - the water will cause the burning oil to spatter and spread flames elsewhere. 

A: Also, lithium batteries - do not leave them plugged in for extended periods. In fact, they need special handling because they stay hot for so long that they can re-ignite as we saw in the Moss Landing lithium battery storage facility. 

We finished with a group photo, and a fun photo as Fireman T climbing up to the top of the truck to show the water cannon at the top of the truck. 

Firefighting is one of the most popular occupations that young children aspire to. Most of us end up doing something else, but we recognize the tremendous amount of courage and responsibility our firefighters take on. We are thankful for the Lord giving them the strength and fortitude to serve and protect our communities.