The Fire Department
David and Patricia Armentrout
© 2009 Rourke Publishing LLC All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. www.rourkepublishing.com PHOTO CREDITS: © Francis Twitty: cover; © Melissa Carroll: page 5; © Frances Twitty: page 6; © Yvonne Chamberlain: page 8; © Rick Rhay: page 9; © Jim Parkin: page 10; © Paolo Florendo: page 11; © Tomaz Levstek: page 15; © Roberta Osborne: page 17; © Rarpia: page 18; © Blaney Photo: page 19; © Sean Locke: page 20; © Talk Kienas: page 21; © Milan Radulovic: page 22 Edited by Kelli Hicks Cover design by Teri Intzegian Interior design by Teri Intzegian
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Armentrout, David, 1962The fire department / David and Patricia Armentrout. p. cm. -- (Our community) ISBN 978-1-60472-336-6 1. Fire stations--Juvenile literature. I. Armentrout, Patricia, 1960- II. Title. TH9148.A76 2008 628.9'2--dc22 2008016348 Printed in the USA CG/CG
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Table of Contents Fire Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 What does a Firefighter Do? . . . . . .6 Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 The Fire Station . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Fighting Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Fire Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Prevention and Safety . . . . . . . . .20 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
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Fire Department A warm fire feels good on a cold night. But a fire burning out of control is dangerous. It’s good to know your community fire department is there to help in a fire emergency.
Firefighters work hard to keep communities safe.
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What does a Firefighter Do? Firefighters fight fire, but they also work to prevent them. Firefighters save lives and property.
Fire can spread quickly and destroy property.
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A fire rescue team arrives at an accident scene.
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Training Firefighting is a dangerous job. That’s why firefighters spend a lot of time training. They learn how to put out fires and how to rescue people in danger.
Firefighters practice using safety harnesses.
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A fire crew trains with air tanks.
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The Fire Station Firefighters work long shifts. While on duty, they work, eat, and sleep at the fire station. When an emergency call comes in, firefighters are ready to go.
Firefighters keep their trucks in good working order.
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A firefighters tough equipment and fire gear weighs about 60 pounds (27 kg).
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Fighting Fire Most people avoid danger, but firefighters search for it!
Firefighters know, where there is smoke, there is fire.
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Firefighters rush to the scene of an emergency.
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Firefighter duties differ depending on the community they work in. Urban firefighters work in cities. Rural firefighters protect country communities.
A fire crew works to save a downtown business.
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Firefighters battle a wildfire.
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Fire Trucks Fire trucks are coming! Loud sirens and flashing lights warn everyone to get out of the way.
Fire trucks can cost over one million dollars each!
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Tank trucks haul water to fires. Pump trucks carry hoses and pump water.
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Ladder trucks haul ladders to fires. Firefighters use them to reach people trapped in tall buildings. The tallest ladders reach more than 100 feet.
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Thick smoke rises from a burning building.
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Prevention and Safety Firefighters would rather prevent a fire than put one out. Firefighters teach children and other groups in their community about fire safety.
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Kids learn how fire equipment is used. 21
Fire is a tool. Heat from fire keeps us warm and cooks our food. But, we need to control fire or it can become dangerous. When fire strikes, where does a community turn for help? They call the fire department.
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Glossary harnesses (HAR-niss-ez): straps used to keep people safe
prevent (pri-VENT): to stop something before it starts
rural (RUR-uhl): country or farming community
urban (UR-buhn): city community
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INDEX danger 8, 12 emergency 13 fire department 4, 22 firefighter(s) 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20
ladder truck 18 pump truck (s) 17 rescue 7 tank truck 17
FURTHER READING Raatma, Lucia. Fire Safety. Child’s World, 2003. Somervill, Barbara A. First Response: By Air. Children’s Press, 2007. Wheeler, Jill C. Firefighters. Checkerboard Books, 2002.
WEBSITES www.firesafety.gov/kids/flash.shtm www.firesafetyforkids.org www.mcgruff.org
ABOUT THE AUTHORS David and Patricia Armentrout specialize in nonfiction childrens books. They enjoy exploring different topics and have written about many subjects, including sports, animals, history, and people. David and Patricia love to spend their free time outdoors with their two boys and dog Max.
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What do banks, hospitals and fire departments all have in common? They are important places in our communities. Readers will enjoy learning how different important places in our communities operate and provide services.
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