One by one, each child climbed the steps of the bright red fire truck to get a short thrill of being a part of, albeit for just a few moments, one of the world’s most respected professions.
Parents snapped photos with their smartphones as Phillip Foix of the Brownwood Fire Department educated the kids of the vehicle’s features and let them work the steering wheel Thursday morning outside the Brownwood Public Library.
Foix, along with Brownwood Fire co-worker Brent Holley, gave the large group of kids a personal tour of the fire truck on South Greenleaf Street after the two firefighters each read a story as part of the library’s summer reading program.
Inside the library, Foix and Holley each read a firefighter-themed book that provided a short story and instructions on what to do if a fire occurs. A total of 137 kids participated in the two sessions.
“Know where your exits are,” Holley said. “Practice fire drills with your family at home in order to be on the same page.”
Foix described to them the physical demands of the job — being able to run, jump and climb, culminating with a fitness test — as well as “talking orders, work as a team and stay calm” while fighting a fire.
Firefighters are known for being strong and fit. Foix, who has been with the department for roughly a year, or “still a rookie,” said, “I’ve gained about 20 pounds since working here,” referring to added muscle and meeting the strength demands.