Over the last couple of months, our preschoolers have been engaged in various learning opportunities as part of our fire station/firefighting project. From reading books and participating in themed activities to role-playing as firefighters, the children have shown curiosity and enthusiasm. To wrap up our project, we planned a special visit to the Kitchener Fire Department Headquarters — a perfect way to bring their learning to life.
The children were full of excitement as we boarded the bus and set off on our field trip. During the ride, they practiced bus safety rules and watched out the windows for road signs and traffic lights along the way — making the journey both fun and educational.
When we arrived at the fire station, a group of friendly firefighters warmly greeted us with big smiles. Upon entering the hall, the children’s eyes lit up with wonder as they saw the bright red pumper truck and the large rescue truck parked inside the hall. The preschoolers were divided into 2 groups, one group got to explore the pumper truck and one group learned about the rescue truck. The fire fighters gave a fascinating tour of each truck, showing different compartments of each vehicle, and explaining the different tools and equipment they use during emergencies. We got to see huge water hoses, metal clippers, oxygen tanks, and many other life-saving devices. Further, the preschoolers also got to hop in trucks and see what the inside of each truck looks like, they also learned about the different devices they carry inside the truck like flash lights, helmets, a thermal camera, and lots more! The children were amazed by the size and variety of the equipment and listened with wide eyes as the firefighters shared their knowledge.
Towards the end of the tour, one of the firefighters gave us an exciting live demonstration of how quickly they get ready when responding to an emergency call. As soon as he got the signal, he jumped into action — grabbing his gear and slipping into his uniform and boots in just seconds. Using a flip-flop trick (like we practice in Preschool) with his jacket, he put on his full protective gear, including his helmet and oxygen tank, and was fully suited up in a minute! The children watched in amazement, cheering and clapping at the end.
After the demonstration, the firefighters gave a friendly reminder that even though they might look a bit different or sound loud when they’re all geared up, there’s no need to be afraid. They reassured the children that firefighters are our friends — there to help and keep everyone safe. It was a fun and meaningful way to end our visit, leaving the children feeling inspired and more confident around real-life heroes.
