The Fire

Department

David and Patricia Armentrout

 © 2009 Rourke Publishing LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical
including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the
publisher.

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PHOTO CREDITS: © Francis Twitty: cover; © Melissa Carroll: page 5; © Frances Twitty: page 6; © Yvonne Chamberlain: page
8; © Rick Rhay: page 9; © Jim Parkin: page 10; © Paolo Florendo: page 11; © Tomaz Levstek: page 15; © Roberta Osborne:
page 17; © Rarpia: page 18; © Blaney Photo: page 19; © Sean Locke: page 20; © Talk Kienas: page 21; © Milan Radulovic:
page 22

Edited by Kelli Hicks

Cover design by Teri Intzegian

Interior design by Teri Intzegian

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Armentrout, David, 1962-

The fire department / David and Patricia Armentrout.
p. cm. -- (Our community)
ISBN 978-1-60472-336-6
1. Fire stations--Juvenile literature. I. Armentrout, Patricia, 1960- II.
Title.
TH9148.A76 2008
628.9'2--dc22
2008016348

Printed in the USA

CG/CG

www.rourkepublishing.com – rourke@rourkepublishing.com
Post Office Box 3328, Vero Beach, FL 32964

2 1-800-394-7055
 Table of Contents

Fire Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
What does a Firefighter Do? . . . . . .6
Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
The Fire Station . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Fighting Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Fire Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Prevention and Safety . . . . . . . . .20
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

3
 Fire Department

A warm fire feels good

on a cold night. But a
fire burning out of
control is dangerous. It’s
good to know your
community fire
department is there to
help in a fire emergency.

Firefighters
work hard to keep
communities safe.

4
5
 What does a Firefighter Do?

Firefighters fight fire, but they

also work to prevent them.
Firefighters save lives and property.

Fire can spread

quickly and
destroy property.

6
A fire rescue team arrives
at an accident scene.

7
 Training

Firefighting is a dangerous job.

That’s why firefighters spend a
lot of time training. They learn
how to put out fires and how to
rescue people
in danger.

Firefighters
practice
using safety
harnesses.

8
A fire crew trains with air tanks.

9
 The Fire Station

Firefighters work long shifts.

While on duty, they work, eat, and
sleep at the fire station. When an
emergency call comes in,
firefighters are ready to go.

Firefighters keep their trucks in

good working order.

10
A firefighters tough equipment and fire
gear weighs about 60 pounds (27 kg).

11
 Fighting Fire

Most people avoid danger, but

firefighters search for it!

Firefighters know,
where there is
smoke,
there is fire.

12
Firefighters rush to the scene
of an emergency.

13
 Firefighter duties differ depending
on the community they work in.
Urban firefighters work in cities.
Rural firefighters protect
country communities.

A fire crew works

to save a downtown business.

14
Firefighters battle a wildfire.

15
 Fire Trucks

Fire trucks are coming! Loud

sirens and flashing lights warn
everyone to get out of the way.

Fire trucks can cost over one

million dollars each!

16
 Tank trucks haul water to fires.
Pump trucks carry hoses and
pump water.

17
 Ladder trucks haul ladders to
fires. Firefighters use them to
reach people trapped in tall
buildings. The tallest ladders reach
more than 100 feet.

18
Thick smoke rises from a
burning building.

19
 Prevention and Safety

Firefighters would rather prevent

a fire than put one out. Firefighters
teach children and other groups in
their community about fire safety.

20
Kids learn how
fire equipment is used.

21
 Fire is a tool. Heat
from fire keeps us
warm and cooks our
food. But, we need to
control fire or it can
become dangerous.

When fire strikes,

where does a
community turn for
help? They call the
fire department.

22
 Glossary

harnesses (HAR-niss-ez): straps used to keep

people safe

prevent (pri-VENT): to stop

something before it starts

rural (RUR-uhl): country or

farming community

urban (UR-buhn): city community

23
 INDEX
danger 8, 12 ladder truck 18
emergency 13 pump truck (s) 17
fire department 4, 22 rescue 7
firefighter(s) 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, tank truck 17
14, 15, 18, 20

FURTHER READING
Raatma, Lucia. Fire Safety. Child’s World, 2003.
Somervill, Barbara A. First Response: By Air. Children’s Press, 2007.
Wheeler, Jill C. Firefighters. Checkerboard Books, 2002.

WEBSITES
www.firesafety.gov/kids/flash.shtm
www.firesafetyforkids.org
www.mcgruff.org

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

David and Patricia Armentrout specialize in
nonfiction childrens books. They enjoy exploring
different topics and have written about many
subjects, including sports, animals, history, and
people. David and Patricia love to spend their free
time outdoors with their two boys and dog Max.

24
 What do banks, hospitals and fire departments all
have in common? They are important places in our
communities. Readers will enjoy learning how different
important places in our communities operate and
provide services.

BOOKS IN THIS SERIES INCLUDE: