UNION VALE, NY - The Union Vale Fire Department recently welcomed the Brownies of Girl Scout Troop 10564 to our Station 1, located on the north side of town in Verbank, for a tour of the firehouse.

Union Vale District Chief Steven Schmoke, Captain Scott Geider and Firefighter Bill Liguori showed the Brownies the apparatus used in fires and motor vehicle accidents, and various tools kept on the trucks and their use. They were able to hold the hose, climb into the trucks and ambulance, and wear a real helmet.

Our members demonstrated the use of the ‘jaws of life’ (a hydraulic extrication tool used to spread and breach doors in accident damaged vehicles), and what a firefighter looks like with a Scott Air-Pak SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) on when they enter a burning building.

The girls were pleased to see everything up close and have some hands-on experience.

“Our girls had the best time meeting all of you and learning about all of the important equipment you use to help others. My daughter has not stopped talking about the trip there and wants to learn more about the important work that the fire men and women do. They thought it was really "cool" that the President of the fire department is a woman (something to aspire to),” said troop leader Kristen Baurczarski.