On Saturday Feb. 25, 2923, as one of the regular weekend outings, seven boys from the academy went to West Lincoln Fire Department Station 1 in Smithville.

Steve Law, Justin Gagne, Kaleb Alvarez, Seif Elnahas from A Coy, and Kevin Buechler, Reece Continelli, and Dafydd Jenkins from C Coy enjoyed a tour provided by Lieutenant Tamara Clark Public Education Officer/Fire Prevention Officer as well as Firefighter Chris Kivell (MWO Kivell, Duty Officer to the boys).

The boys learned the history of the Smithville Fire Department, had hands on experience with the “Jaws of Life” tools that are used to assist people in vehicle accidents, learned about the different apparatus that the department has and the equipment the Fire Department uses on a daily basis. The boys also got to see one of the Fire Department’s first pieces of equipment, which is on display in the museum at the front of the hall, A Bickle fire pump that was hand push to the fire scenes from the 1920’s.

Lt Clark talked to the boys about life in the barracks, about the importance of a fire escape plan, and challenged the boys to have a draft plan made up even for their homes on their next leave. Along with touring the station and learning about firefighting, the students had the opportunity to see how RLA staff are involved in the community and the important work MWO Kivell does as a volunteer firefighter.