ARFF Marines teach students: Matthew C. Perry students learn ins, outs of aircraft firefighting

Photo By Cpl. Joseph Marianelli | Students from Matthew C. Perry Elementary School raise their hands after Staff Sgt. Jason Nickell, aircraft rescue firefighter, asks if the students want to see the truck shoot water at M.C. Perry here April 21. Most fire trucks here hold approximately 300 to 400 gallons of water; however, the ARFF fire trucks hold up to 1,000 gallons.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, AICHI, JAPAN

04.21.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Cayce Nevers 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan - Aircraft rescue firefighters held a demonstration for Matthew C. Perry Elementary School students at M.C. Perry Elementary School here April 21 in honor of the Month of the Military Child.

“We are out here to help the kids learn about firefighting and teach them early,” said Cpl. Kyle S. Vander Molen.

Kindergarten through second graders of M.C. Perry Elementary School attended the demonstrations put on by the Aircraft Rescue and Fireighting Marines.

The demonstration included the use of the ARFF fire truck, the uniforms they wear and tools they use.

For each class, ARFF Marines introduced themselves and explained their jobs. The Marines showed what gear they wear and asked the children the difference between their gear and a normal firefighter’s uniform.

The children noted the silver color of the uniform, and the ARFF Marines explained that the silver of the uniform is to protect the Marines from aircraft fires, which generally create more heat than a normal fire.

After talking about their uniforms, the Marines showed the students their tools and explained how to use them safely.

With the equipment and gear out of the way, the Marines demonstrated how far the water in the truck could shoot. All the students looked at the water in awe.

“I liked the water because it looks pretty when it spreads in the air,” said Lucila Madrid, 6, M.C. Perry kindergartner.

The Marines also took questions from the children and answered them in terms elementary school students would understand.

Before the students returned to the classrooms, they toured the fire truck.

“Going on the fire truck was my favorite because I pretended I was a dog, and the fireman asked if I was a firedog,” said Megan Hilgemeier, 7, M.C. Perry student.

Some of the children said that they even wanted to be Marines when they grew up.

“I want to be a pilot in the Marine Corps because firefighting is dangerous,” said Christopher Czepiel, 8, M.C. Perry student.

The Marines who performed the demonstration took time out of their day to spend time with the children and increase their knowledge.

• Date Taken: 04.21.2011
• Date Posted: 04.26.2011 21:00
• Story ID: 69399
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, AICHI, JP