Step 1 to becoming a firefighter: Learn how to clean the truck!
They wear capes and fight off evil villains or use their voices to stand up for society. Others risk their lives for the greater good. No matter how different they may be, all heroes have one thing in common: they protect and serve our community.
Theo W., a Brevard Achievement Center (BAC) day client, had a dream to meet and work with his heroes. Being a mega-fan of the television show “Emergency,” Theo had longed to learn the thrills and adventures of real-life firefighters. Thanks to planning between Maggie Schmitt, overseer of BAC’s Dream. Wish. Wonder. program, and Rockledge Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Russo, Theo W. got to experience a day-in-the-life of a firefighter.
Chief Russo and his crew taught Theo the importance of safety, answered all of his questions and even let him have some fun trying on a hazmat suit. He also was allowed to test out a fire hose, turn on all the sirens in the emergency vehicle and go for a ride in a firetruck after he helped the crew wash it as part of his training. When he returned from his ride in the firetruck, Theo noticed a second truck parked at the station. Not one to miss an opportunity, Theo asked, “What about that one?” prompting the crew to take him out for one more ride.
“Everyone enjoyed making this dream happen for Theo,” Schmitt said. “This was a true team effort.”
Thanks to support given to the Dream. Wish. Wonder. program, Theo was able to meet a few of Brevard’s local heroes and learn how to be a real fireman. He also walked away with not only new friends and a greater appreciation for what it takes to be a firefighter, but an official City of Rockledge Fire Department t-shirt too, one he proudly wears to BAC.