The Durant Fire Department visited George Washington, Northwest Heights and Washington Irving elementary schools last week to give third graders an opportunity to handle fire department equipment and there was a competition among the classes.
They visited Washington Irving on Sept. 10 and DFD Capt. Richard Parker spoke to the third graders.
“This is to give you all a little bit of insight on what it’s like to be a firefighter,” Parker said. “We’re going to do a little competition between all of the classrooms and you are competing for this championship DFD wrestling belt. This is pretty cool because ya’ll will get to keep this in your classroom if you win all year long and brag that you are the best firefighters of the third grade of this school which is pretty cool.”
The activity includes an obstacle course handling ladders, fire hoses and stretchers.
“It’s an event we started a few years ago, but basically, was the brainchild of Brandon Brooks and myself as far as trying to get involvement with the community as far as getting the kids some history on the events of 9/11,” Parker said. “Just to help commemorate the people that lost their lives, both civilians and first responders.
“But we wanted to do it in a way that was fun for the kids. So, we came up with this obstacle course idea that allows the kids to do some firefighter- like tasks and that’s not only a good physical fitness kind of thing but it also gives them a way to build teamwork and camaraderie and gives them something fun to do to try to just make it a fun event. It gives them a little taste of what it’s like. I think again, it’s some physical activity and fun mixed into the same event.”
Laura Weger’s class won the competition.
“You guys did a great job,” Parker said. “Ya’ll fought really hard.”
