Kids play firefighter for a day

The Hamilton Beach Volunteer Ambulance and Fire Department opened their doors at the Fire House in Hamilton Beach last week. Children and families from New York Families for Autistic Children, Inc. (NYFAC) were welcomed into the fire station by Chief Bruce Stock. The children were shown what takes place when the fire alarm sounds, from sliding down the pole, to suiting up with protective gear to a firefighter’s duties on the fire truck. The kids also got to sit on the truck and learn about the equipment. As a special treat, the pumper was brought to the front of the station house — the visitors were shown how far the fire hose can shoot water to a fire in brush areas — and how it felt to get wet.