Owen Zafuta, 5, looks over his shoulder while waiting in line to get a tour of a Frontenac fire engine.
Zafuta’s kindergarten class from Frank Layden Elementary School toured the Frontenac Fire Station on Tuesday. Another kindergarten class from Frank Layden made the trip to the fire station on Monday.
Zafuta had a particular interest in the tour, as his father, John Zafuta, seen in the background, is the Frontenac Fire Chief. Also, John Zafuta’s nephew had been in the Monday tour.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Emma Schwantken, 6, tries on a fireman’s jacket with help from Frontenac Fire Chief John Zafuta.
Zafuta modeled for the kids what firefighters look like in all of their gear, including boots, pants, suspenders, gloves and helmet. Zafuta had firefighter Justin Ziesensis further model for the children the mask, hood, and air tank a firefighter would wear during a real fire.
After Ziesensis put the mask on and got the air working, students said he looked like “a bumblebee” and sounded like “Darth Vader.”
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Dayton Hutchison, 5, fastens a plastic Frontenac fire helmet as part of a tour of the Frontenac Fire Station.
Students were originally supposed to visit the fire station last month for Fire Safety Month, but the tour was rescheduled after rain postponed the event.
Tuesday, the students got their own plastic helmet, examined a fire engine, and got to learn the details of a firefighter’s gear.
“We want to show off our equipment and gear so if the kids ever have to see us, we aren’t so scary,” Zafuta said.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Students watch as Justin Ziesensis, foreground, and John Zafuta, background, both Frontenac firefighters, put on their full firefighter regalia.
After the tour, one kindergartner said her favorite part of the tour was “seeing the firemen put their costumes on.”
Although only in kindergarten, the class was ready when Zafuta asked what the students should do if their clothes caught on fire: “Stop, drop and roll!” Zafuta also pointed out that firefighters put their shoes and pants on at the same time to respond faster to a potential fire.
SEAN STEFFEN/THE MORNING SUN
Frank Layden Elementary students walk by the fire engine at the Frontenac fire station.
Teacher Susie Murray said the youngsters had been excited for days before the trip to the fire station.
“Everybody when you’re little wants to be a firefighter,” Murray said. “Either that, or a cowboy. They’re just excited to come out and see everything.”
About 40 Frontenac kindergartners toured the facility on Monday and another 40 toured the station on Tuesday.
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