Local Beaver Scouts were treated to a tour of the fire house this past Monday, led by Merritt Fire Prevention Officer Sky McKeown. The youngsters, who are just starting the Scout program, one bracket younger than Cub Scouts, were able to see some of the inner workings of their local fire hall, and got some safety tips as well.
There were several hands-on stations set up for youngsters to get a firsthand look at the life of a firefighter. It started with a demonstration of how they gear up before they go out on a call. They were able to shoot water out of a hose, and of course climb inside the trucks and have a look around.
Members of Merritt’s Beaver Scouts troop get a good look at the fire department’s ladder truck at a fire hall tour on Monday, April 27. David Dyck/Herald
McKeown also went through some safety tips, such as establishing a family meeting place where everyone could go in the event of an emergency. He also stressed the important difference between toys and tools, something that Beaver Scout Leader Chris Schulte appreciated.
“We’re planning a camp out here right away, so I thought we would meet with the firefighters and talk about fire from this perspective before we go and build one,” he said. “I think it went really well,” he added. “It’s really good to see how attuned the kids are to what’s going on.”
Caleb looks on in amazement during a demonstration of the Jaws of Life, a tool used to rescue people from wreckage. The firefighters easily snapped a metal rod in half, much to the Scouts’ amazement.
David Dyck/Herald
McKeown said the parents appreciated it too. “[One of the parents] threw down a comment on Facebook last night saying, ‘I really appreciate the educational value of the tour, as well as showing them a good time and having fun with them,’” he said.
“Kids are smart, and kids like to climb and do things and they’ll be able to take care of themselves, but they have to be given the plan,” he added. “That’s up to adults to do that.”
Although the little Scouts are nearly finished for the season, which wraps up in June, Schulte said they have a couple more events planned before then, including a bottle drive and a bike rodeo.
