Karli McGee got to ride to school on a Bloomington Fire truck.
David Proeber
BLOOMINGTON — Two lucky kids got a cool ride to school Wednesday morning.
Karli and Gavin McGee rolled up to Washington Elementary School in the Bloomington Fire Department’s pumper Engine 7. They were driven up in a parade of fire apparatus including Engine 1, Truck 1, Medic, 1, the battalion chief and deputy chief of operations command vehicles.
The arrival of the fire convoy sent the school children into a playful commotion. Kindergarten classes taught by Krystal Godfrey and Jill Lartz chanted for “fire trucks” while dancing in circles.
The tour is part of efforts to BFD’s efforts to teach kids about fire safety. BFD’s Public Information Officer, Eric Davison, said the point is to teach children that “firefighters are friends.”
They focus on kindergarteners to implant that knowledge at an early age.
Bloomington firefighter Eric Davison talked with Maggie Killian’s kindergarten class at Washington Elementary School, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Killian’s student, Karli McGee, won a ride on the truck as part of a fire prevention project.
He said seeing firefighters geared-up can be a little intimidating for younger kids, “but we want them to know that we’re there to help and they can come to us if there was an emergency.”
Gavin and Karli stepped off the engine with spiffy looks on their faces. Karli’s classmates then greeted her with a big hug.
Bloomington firefighter Eric Davison escorts Karli McGee, 5, from a fire truck as her brother Gavin, 9, watches Wednesday at Washington Elementary School. Karli won the ride after her kindergarten class participated in a Bloomington Fire Department fire prevention project.
The 5-year-old kindergarten student told The Pantagraph she felt cool getting to ride along on the fire engine. Her favorite part about it: the sirens. She also said it was fast and loud.
Karli added it was the first thing she talked about this morning right after getting up. She also said her baby brother tried counting all the lights.
Watch now: Bloomington firefighters train on preventing propane tank explosions
Father Josh McGee noticed how “super excited” her daughter was on Wednesday.
“I think it’s a really cool life experience for her that she gets to do it, and Gavin got lucky that he got to tag along,” said Mr. McGee.
Karli McGee’s kindergarten classmates at Washington Elementary School, watch as a city of Bloomington fire truck brought McGee and her brother, Gavin, 9, to school Wednesday.
Karli’s mother, Amber, also teaches at Bloomington High School, where her kids boarded the fire engine.
Kindergarten teacher Maggie Killian said the firefighters were invited back to the school after bringing the station to them for safety lessons.
“Kids got to carry the hose,” she said, adding they were taught about calling 9-1-1 and got to sit in the fire truck. After learning about smoke detectors, Killian said students were sent home with a survey for their family.
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Josh McGee said for the assignment, Karli had to go around their house and count the detectors. They also learned how to evacuate from a fire, where to meet their family, and what doors to go out.
“It was a very good learning experience for her,” he said.
Bloomington firefighter Eric Davison delivers Karli McGee, 5, and her brother Gavin, 9, in a fire truck at Washington Elementary on Wednesday.
Those surveys resulted in 20 homes of kindergarten families getting smoke detectors, Killian said. And since 100% of her class completed their surveys, she said Karli was chosen as the winner of the special ride. Her name was pulled out of a hat.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said the teacher before the fire trucks and engines showed up.
Davison said they switched to “in-house” field trips because of the pandemic, and they teach children to stay out in the open, be loud, and to close their doors to block fire if they can’t get out of their house.
Every school in District 87 and Unit 5 get the lessons, Davison said, but they also go to daycares and preschools. Cedar Ridge Elementary student Bennet in teacher Jenny Roop’s class went for a ride went the department on Tuesday, with sister Skyler.
Cedar Ridge Elementary School student Bennet got a ride to school in a Bloomington fire engine on Tuesday.
Davison said the children are excited to get into the fire engines. Their eyes light up and they can see their smiles behind their masks.
Watch now: Several volunteer fire agencies train in Bloomington Township
“We hope to do this every year, moving forward,” Davison said.
Washington School also prepared a welcoming message by decorating on their fence: “We ❤ BFD.”
Photos: Bloomington and Normal fire departments fight fire on Bell Street
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Bloomington firefighters arrive on the scene to find a two-story apartment house engulfed in smoke and flame Monday at 710 E. Bell St.
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Bloomington firefighters arrive on the scene to find a two-story apartment house engulfed in smoke and flame Monday at 710 E. Bell St.
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A firefighter moved heavy lines after arriving on the scene of a two-story apartment house engulfed in smoke and flame Monday at 710 E. Bell St.
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Normal firefighters assisted Bloomington firefighters as they arrive on the scene to find a two-story apartment house engulfed in smoke and flame Monday at 710 E. Bell St.
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A Normal firefighter assisted Bloomington firefighters in directing the attack on a two-story apartment house fire Monday, at 710 E. Bell St.
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Normal firefighters assisted Bloomington firefighters as they arrive on the scene to find a two-story apartment house engulfed in smoke and flame Monday at 710 E. Bell St.
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Bloomington firefighters enter a two-story apartment house engulfed in smoke and flame Monday at 710 E. Bell St.
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A Bloomington Fire Department commander gives instructions while fighting a two-story apartment house fire, Monday at 710 E. Bell St.
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A Bloomington firefighter walks through thick smoke after arriving on the scene of a two-story apartment house fire, Monday at 710 E. Bell St., Feb. 7, 2022.
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Bloomington firefighters fight a fire in a two-story apartment house Monday at 710 E. Bell St.
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Bloomington firefighters take a break to recharge their breathing apparatus after fighting a fire at 710 E. Bell St.
Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
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