Buddha's Light Hsi Lai Cub Scout Pack 8888 and Hsi Lai Girl Scout Troop 18894 visited the Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 118 on February 18, 2024 for an educational tour on fire safety, attended by over 50 scouts and parents. While fire shows no mercy, firefighters exhibit great compassion. This tour provided scouts with crucial knowledge of fire safety and extinguishing techniques, enhancing both scouts' and parents' awareness of safety measures to prevent potential fire hazards.
Captain Jeffrey L. Wilk, Chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, warmly welcomed the scouts and emphasized the importance of their participation in fire department activities to foster fire safety awareness, noting that his own son is a Boy Scout.
Firefighters demonstrated the functionalities and various equipment of fire trucks, including ladders, water tanks, water gun pumps, portable fire extinguishers, protective gear, breaching tools, first aid equipment, and various types of hose nozzles, all neatly organized for swift deployment.
Highlighting their vital role in protecting lives and property, firefighters explained the significance of their fire-resistant and heat-resistant gear. Scouts tried on firefighting suits and discovered the weight of tools, reaching up to 30-40 pounds, emphasizing the physical demands of firefighting in addition to courage.
Using creative teaching methods, firefighters engaged scouts in fun games to experience firefighting techniques. Scouts adjusted water pressure to control the size of water streams, attempting to knock down basketballs placed atop cones from a distance, showcasing professional skills through seemingly simple actions.
The most intriguing game challenged scouts to protect eggs from breaking when dropped from a height. Firefighters climbed a 40-foot ladder to drop eggs prepared by scouts using various methods, such as parachute eggs, balloon eggs, foam-sealed eggs, eggs wrapped in clothing and socks, vacuum-sealed popcorn bags, and eggs in mineral water bottles. Scouts eagerly awaited the outcome, learning about the importance of reducing speed and pressure during high-altitude drops to minimize damage.
(Photos Provided by Hsi Lai Scouts)