The Traveling Wheelchair

Middleboro Fire Department
125 North Main Street
Headquarters
Middleborough, MA 02346
Business Phone: 508-946-2461
http://departments.firehouse.com/dept/MiddleboroughMA

What a wonderful experience I had when I went to visit my local Fire Department and how great they were to accommodate me in showing me around.  At first, I called to set up a tour. They were very willing to give me any day and time, though as you know, you can never know when to expect an emergency. It can arise at any given moment as it did that day when I first arrived for my tour. The fire station was very accessible with no problems moving around.  I checked in with the dispatcher and she told me that it may be a little wait since they were responding to an emergency call. So, I waited in a waiting area where I saw trophy’s of many courageous fire fighters. Finally, I met up with the nice fire man who toured me of the dispatch office and showed me how they get the calls and send out the fire engines. Every call is taken very seriously.

They showed me a box of certain places that are connected to a system that lights up right there at the station when there’s a fire. Then, I was shown the fire engine station where I got a first-hand look at a modern state of the art fire engine. There were so many controls that I lost track of what each one was for as he was describing them to me. I learned a lot that I never knew about a fire engine, from the huge amount of water it can carry, to the great height the ladder can extend to.

Since I was not able to sit in the engine, he let me put on his fire fighters hat. Man that was awesome! For a moment I felt I was part of the fire fighting team. Their fire suits were cool too. They are fire retardant to flames. He described to me some of his experiences while out on the job.  I give fire fighters lots of credit for risking their lives for us. He then asked if I wanted to go upstairs to see the sleeping barracks and lounging area. . He took me up an elevator. I thought it was really nice that the fire station has an elevator! The rooms were tight for me to ever occupy but then again this isn’t a job for me. LOL!  Again, everywhere I went was spacious and the halls were wide. The lounging area had recliners everywhere with a TV and a little kitchen. Many of these firefighters are on call for hours at a time waiting to respond to an emergency.

Well, just when I thought my tour was over, the chief asked me if I wanted to see a safety check performed of the fire engine ladder. Of course I took advantage of the opportunity. Wow, when I saw that ladder reach into the sky and  he walked up to the tip pity top was exciting and at the same time scary.

I give Middleborough Fire Department FIVE STARS for great accessibility and for taking the time to show me around and teaching me to learn the importance of fire safety. I recommend anyone to set up a tour with your local Fire Department. It is an experience you will never forget. Thanks to all the Fire Fighters who risk their lives every day!