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Fire Truck Sparks Fun

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: November 26, 2008

LUTZ - The gleaming 1973 fire engine caught 5-year-old Baylor Collins' attention, especially the ladders along the top. He plays with a miniature version in his house, he said, but lost the ladders.

Firefighter Gary Guy took Baylor and his classmates on a tour of the retired truck, pointing out which ladders were used for what, how the hoses worked and what the sirens sounded like. The children sighed "wow" over the ladders and bounced on their toes when Guy escorted them through the cab.

"I have a toy firetruck at home," Baylor told Guy.

"Yeah?" Guy said. "This is my toy firetruck."

Guy shared his full-sized toy with kindergarten classes at Schwarzkopf Elementary last week for the Great American Teach-In. Parents and professionals filled Hillsborough County classrooms to talk about their jobs and hobbies. Veterans, paramedics, police officers, musicians and even Tampa Bay Rays catcher Dioner Navarro participated.

At Schwarzkopf, Guy talked with classes about firefighting as a career and showed children what he would wear if he had to enter a burning building. A Hillsborough County firefighter for eight years, Guy started the Old Cracker Fire Co. in February to teach fire safety throughout the community.

He bought "Emmette," named for his grandfather, from the Long Creek Grady Volunteer Fire Department in North Carolina and began offering the truck for parties, fairs, parades and other special events.

CHIEF, a national public safety equipment supplier, donated bunker gear so Guy could demonstrate to children what a firefighter looked like in uniform, complete with helmet and oxygen mask. In October, Guy started "EDITH (Exit Drills in the Home) on the Road," where he visits schools and community groups to talk about fire procedures.

Students last week wanted to know exactly what firefighters did, whether they needed cars and whether they would save pets. Guy said he had rescued two cats. He also emphasized the work involved - schooling in emergency medical training as well as the fire academy.

"You have to like school, because there are so many things we do that you don't even think about that you learn in school," Guy said. "You know what? It's worth it. It's a whole lot of fun."

Some of the 5- and 6-year-olds looked startled when he put on his oxygen mask, which hissed as he breathed. Guy reassured them that he might look scary but they had nothing to be afraid of and should feel comfortable going with a firefighter if their house caught on fire.

"I'm a daddy," said Guy, whose son and daughter attend Schwarzkopf. "Even though I have all this stuff on, I'm still a daddy underneath."

OLD CRACKER FIRE CO.

The Old Cracker Fire Co. offers its truck for parties and special events at a cost and also makes available fire safety lessons for free at schools, churches, clubs and community centers in parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties. For information, call (813) 792-0911 or e-mail info@oldcrackerfire

company.com.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503.

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