Bob Fix, a reader of this site as well as a firefighter and paramedic wrote the following for The Batavian about a summer program for children:
Batavia’s Youth Bureau got a first hand look recently at the tools the City of Batavia Firefighters, IAFF Local 896, use at emergencies. Approximately 20 children ranging in age from 6 to 14, that are participating in the City’s summer youth program, attended a tour given by Firefighter/EMT Anne Kleinbach and Firefighter/Paramedic Robert Fix.
The kids were reminded that family fire drills are important to practice. Each family should have an exit plan with a safe meeting place. This allows the first arriving firefighters to quickly check with the family to make sure all occupants are accounted for.
Firefighter Kleinbach demonstrated what a fully turned out firefighter will look like when doing a search of a building and how a TIC or Thermal Imaging Camera is used. She told the kids not to be afraid of the fireman and to stay low to the ground while exiting the building.
The 45-minute tour also included a show-and-tell of the equipment on Engine 12 and Truck 15. It was concluded by firefighter Fix assisting each child in using a fire hose to spray water on the 80-degree day.
