Firefighters spark children’s interest

Staff Sgt. Robby Lamug, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, shows a student the inside of a fire engine during an Everyday Heroes event at the Pines Primary School in Red Lodge, England, Nov. 5. During the hour-and-a-half showcase, the firefighters provided the students with interactive demonstrations with life-saving equipment, such as the protective gear and firefighting gear, and enjoyed a full tour of a fire engine. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

Firefighters spark children’s interest

Students at the Pines Primary School listen to 48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters as they display fire hoses and other equipment during an Everyday Heroes event in Red Lodge, England, Nov. 5. During the hour-and-a-half showcase, the firefighters provided the students an interactive demo with life-saving equipment and enjoyed a full tour of a fire engine. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

Firefighters spark children’s interest

Two students at the Pines Primary School walk past a fire engine assigned to 48th Civil Engineer Squadron during an Everyday Heroes event in Red Lodge, England, Nov. 5. The children were 4-to-5 years old and currently enrolled in their reception year. Each firefighter interacted with half a dozen children, and demonstrated various firefighting equipment and talked to them about what it means to be a real life hero. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

Firefighters spark children’s interest

Students from the Pines Primary School listen to 48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters during an Everyday Heroes event in Red Lodge, England, Nov. 5. Thirty-four children from the newly opened school learned about fire safety and prevention. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

Firefighters spark children’s interest

A student at the Pines Primary School learns about the water controls of a fire engine from a 48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter during an Everyday Heroes event in Red Lodge, England, Nov. 5. During the hour-and-a-half showcase, the firefighters provided the students with interactive demonstrations with life-saving equipment, such as the protective gear and firefighting gear, and enjoyed a full tour of a fire engine. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

Firefighters spark children’s interest

Airman 1st Class Darian Robley, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, shows students how to use a fire extinguisher during an Everyday Heroes event at the Pines Primary School in Red Lodge, England, Nov. 5. The firefighters taught the children skills to help in the event of an emergency, such as how to use fire extinguisher with the P.A.S.S. system: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger, and Sweep side to side. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

Firefighters spark children’s interest

Airman 1st Class Darian Robley, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, shows his firefighting gear inside of a fire engine during an Everyday Heroes event in Red Lodge, England, Nov. 5. Each firefighter interacted with half a dozen children, and demonstrated various firefighting equipment and talked to them about what it means to be a real life hero. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield)

Firefighters spark children’s interest

Published Nov. 8, 2018
By Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Firefighters assigned to the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron visited the Pines Primary School in Red Lodge, England, to support their ‘Everyday Heroes’ lessons and teach the students about fire safety and prevention, Nov. 5.

Thirty-four children from the newly opened school were visited by five Liberty Wing firefighters after the children unanimously deemed emergency services personnel as their real-life heroes.

“The children wanted to learn about everyday heroes,” said Clare Stewart, a Pines Primary School teacher and event coordinator. “Emergency services and military members were who they wanted to learn about the most.”

During the hour-and-a-half showcase, the firefighters provided the students with interactive demonstrations with life-saving equipment, such as the protective gear and firefighting gear, and enjoyed a full tour of a fire engine.

The firefighters also taught the children skills to help in the event of an emergency, such as how to use a fire extinguisher with the P.A.S.S. system: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger, and Sweep side to side.

“These young folks are learning that fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, so given the opportunity to teach that is huge,” said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Quintanilla, 48th CES fire emergency services station chief. “They’re strong minded and smart, and being included among their heroes feels amazing.”

The children were 4-to-5 years old and currently enrolled in their reception year. Each firefighter interacted with half a dozen children, and demonstrated various firefighting equipment and talked to them about what it means to be a real life hero.

“The firefighters were so patient and kind with the kids,” Stewart said. “That’s what we want to promote: being kind, helping one another, and being a good person and a hero in whatever way they can be.”

Visits to local schools provide students the opportunity to learn about U.S. visiting forces and gives Airmen the opportunity to give first-hand insight to their careers.