Firefighters Are Awesome.

This post is a shout-out to all the awesome firemen and women who help to keep our towns and communities safe, while putting their own lives at risk.

I gained a new respect and fondness for firemen after our to visit the Pleasant Grove Fire Department when we were in Utah.

Most of us already know that firemen are awesome. We are all so grateful for what they do to protect us, our homes and our lands.

But did you know they love kids? Yes, they do. 

And they treat kids who've been bit by a rattle snake extra special!!!

When we were in the ER at American Fork Hospital, several firemen came in to see his bites. We joked that we were charging $1 for every "look", but they said, "How about you come to the station after you're better and we'll show you around."

So we took them up on it.

And show us around, they did! Makenna even got to tag along too.

This is when we first arrived. The huge ladder truck was just pulling in. It was enormous.

When we first got there, all the firefighters gathered around McKay to see how he was doing and to check out his arm. They were genuinely interested in him and they were so grateful to see that he was out of the hospital and doing well. 

He was feeling like a million bucks.

McKay talking to all his friends

This truck is totally awesome. Seriously. It's over 66 feet long. The fire fighters designed this themselves and it took over 1 year to build. 

The fire department did a year long study to see what type of truck would fit the city's needs, and they determined on like this would do the trick. It has steer-able rear wheels and a rear driving cab (more on that later) so this 66 foot long thing can maneuver it's way into all the apartment complexes and narrow alley ways that are in these small, yet booming, communities.  The ladder on top can extend to 100 feet.

Here is the back half of that huge truck!!

The truck serves many purposes-- not only putting out fires in homes and apartments, but also vehicle fires and car accidents. It's also got its own pump, and holds something like 10,000 gallons of water! Amazing!

We got to see what was inside all those cool compartments! 

McKay feeling so happy about life right now! (Notice his hand not really looking normal here.)

McKay liked being in this seat in the ambulance, and not on the stretcher!

Trying on actual clothes!!

The firefighters gave us a tour of the whole truck. McKay got to sit in every seat. They even turned on the lights and sirens for us!

This is in the "cab" part of the hook and ladder.

About ready to flip on the lights and siren!

Then they asked us if we wanted to ride in the truck! I was shocked!! An actual ride IN the truck? How could we refuse? We all were so excited! I was to sit in the front, Makenna in the cab, and McKay was going to DRIVE the back end with Fireman Wilkey. Yes, drive.

We got settled into our seats and they told us to put our headphones on. This not only blocks out the noise of the huge, loud truck, it also has a microphone system that makes your voices crystal clear as you talk to each other. It was very cool.

Makenna is pretty excited!

Here is my view! Pretty sweet!

Here is Mick's seat!!! Driving in the back with Wilkey!

We drove around Pleasant Grove for probably 20 minutes!!!! I'm not gonna lie- it was sweet. I kept getting looks from people like, "Why are you riding in the front seat of a fire engine?" It was pretty awesome.

Here we are after the ride. These guys are awesome.

And the story doesn't end here. We left Pleasant Grove Fire Department with t-shirts and McKay received two special Pleasant Grove FD patches. We were explained that firemen around the country (and even the world) trade fireman patches with each other. Each station has their own patch that they trade. McKay was given one for him to keep and one for him to trade and send back to Pleasant Grove.

That's where the Bulverde/Spring Branch Fire Department comes in!!

This place just happens to be right across the street from his physical therapy place. Once again we were greeted with kindness and concern. McKay told them the whole rattle snake story and they listened with sincerity. Then he got a tour of the station and the truck outside! 

Firemen are so awesome! And they care about kids! I am just so impressed with the time they are willing to take to show their "toys" and equipment to regular old people. It seems like those things that they get to see and work with every day could become plain and boring to them, but they never come across that way. They are always so excited and eager to share their information and knowledge and happy to answer all our questions. 

They are also seem eager to make a kids' day.

Getting a tour of the truck and so excited about his new patch!!  Look at that smile!

Getting to hold one of the actual hoses from the truck!

\I am truly grateful for the firemen and fire women who work so hard and sacrifice so much to keep us safe. They truly are such a wonderful, caring, giving, make-a-kid-feel-like-a-million-bucks part of our community.

From the bottom of my mother-heart,

Thank you