Fire Station Visitors

I have worked in the fire service for nearly 18 years and have had plenty of fire station visitors—from retired firefighters who want to tell stories and relive a part of their life to the current generation of firefighters to elementary school groups, for which we put on presentations and fire safety talks. Visits such as these are fun for most of us when we are new to our career, but as we get more seasoned, these visitors can tend to become overlooked and perceived as a burden. I hear the talk of who has to give the tour based on seniority or the “I did the last one. You’re up now.”

I want to share a circumstance that I witnessed at our downtown station that really put some things into perspective for me.

Exceeding expectations

A little girl stopped by the station and waited in the lobby with her grandmother, hoping to get a tour of the station and see the fire truck. Why? Because, like many five-year-olds, Mila Wallace wants to be a firefighter.

I greeted Mila and her grandmother at the lobby door and was immediately drawn to Mila. She excitedly asked if she could look at the fire station and fire trucks. She even brought lunch for the crew! She was sure to let me know that she even brought cookies with M&M’s in them.

I walked over to the station to let the crew know, and Firefighter CW McLeod, who is a 15-year veteran, jumped up and was excited to give a tour without even seeing Mila yet.

When McLeod went to greet the little girl, she ran up and gave him a big hug. From that moment, I knew Mila was about to get a station tour like no other.

McLeod showed Mila around the entire station and explained the daily duties and expectations of being a firefighter.

Our department houses a county ambulance, and the paramedic who was on duty that day, Daryn Favara, eagerly jumped in to assist with the tour.

They all went into the bays and toured the fire truck and the ambulance. McLeod asked dispatch for a test page, so Mila could hear the tone go off. He then demonstrated how he gets into his gear and what he looks like with it all on.

Favara grabbed her coat and helmet for Mila to put on, and the little girl was beyond excited to be dressed up like a real firefighter.

Mila’s grandmother was so thankful and explained that what happened on this day was well beyond her expectations. She was so happy to see her granddaughter light up with joy throughout every step of the station tour.

Our fire prevention team made sure that Mila was able to leave with more than just a smile. They gave her some fire safety coloring books, stickers, bracelets and a kid’s fire helmet.

Revisiting the passion of Day 1

The whole tour lasted perhaps 30 minutes, but I know after watching it firsthand that the memories that were made for Mila and her grandmother will last a lifetime.

I felt compelled to share this story, because there are so many changes and negativity within the fire service today. We’re dealing with increased call volumes, inadequate staffing levels, mandatory shifts, a mental health epidemic and escalating suicide rates within the first responder community.

Next time that you get a station visitor, I challenge you to not pawn off the visitor as a burden but rather to immerse yourself in the love that you had on Day 1 of the job. Take the time to make a child feel so special that he or she won’t stop talking about the visit for a week.

Let a group of elementary students see the passion that you have for serving your community, so they might one day want to walk in your footsteps.

Listen to the stories of those who came before you, as they might be reaching out to talk to someone who understands the job during difficult times and the battles that they continue to deal with after enduring this career.

Let a fire station visitor reignite the passion that you had when you became a firefighter.