Well, a few days ago we got off the tram in Melbourne CBD. We took a short cut through a side street and there was a Fire engine, parked off to the side. My little boy, who is absolutely MAAADDDD!! about fire trucks (courtesy of 'Fireman Sam' DVD's) was just in awe.

Anyway, the driver saw my boy so he turned on the flashing lights, and waved. My son was so excited, he stood there transfixed... the driver then invited him up to sit in the truck (then he went shy but wouldn't stop talking about it later) which was really great.

I asked the driver if there was any way that we could see all the trucks up close and he told us that the central (number one) station did a weekly display of all the trucks and we could just go down there.

So, Friday morning my little man and I wander down to the station.... We walk in and there is a large-ish training area.. next minute, a siren starts and around the corner comes a rescue truck, flashing lights going and it pulls up, out gets 3 fire' ees and they begin to cut up a car with the 'jaws of life'...... but hang on, half way through they get a call and for real they have to pack up and go off to a rescue... what's left of the car is wheeled away.......

My son has WIIIDE eyes already...

next minute another truck comes flying around the corner, lights and siren going.. it stops, and out come the hoses to put out the 'fire'.

the operators aim the hoses at a revolving 'flame' on a trolley and let rip. they then ask all the kids assembled if they want a turn on the hose and all the kids race in to have a go.

My little man lines up, and just we reach the head of the line he's too shy to touch it....(and talks about the hoses later).

While all of this is going on, a ladder truck is setting up and extending the ladder with a couple of adults in the cherry picker. Brock (my boy) points out the 'stabilisers' used to steady the truck while the ladder is rising... he's taking it all in.

By the time some 100 school kids cycle through the 'hose display' it is time to move on. We go and walk through the static displays, including a bus with older fire fighting equipment, suits etc. The firemen are there in numbers just happy to answer any questions and chat with the kids.

lot's of kids and kids at heart....

After an hour there it is time to go...

For any of you out there with a son, I would HIGHLY recommend getting in touch with your local fire brigade and seeing what they do. the guys in Melbourne were just awesome and really got a kick out of seeing the little kids have so much fun. They really put on a good show and the kids (even teenagers) love it.

PS. we then had to go again, so I found another station where we got to start the sirens, lights, learn about the procedures... I thought brock was too shy and I was chatting about a typical day, unaware that he was taking in every word... he now knows how many trucks go to certain calls and where they come from.... and only 3!!!!

Here's some pics

oh, and of course we now get a running commentary on how fire trucks work (with his toys) .....

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