Marlowe said the children, who attend Williams College Children Center for the toddler to 2-years-old program, have taken an interest to anything firefighter related, building their own trucks and acting as them when they play.

 

The children got the opportunity to see the gear and vehicles, spray the hose, hear the sirens and have many of their questions answered by firefighter and Jennifer's husband, John Marlowe, who's the head of the fire safety program. In addition, they learned about fire safety and if their house is on fire, to make it clear where they are to the firefighters.

 

"If you see John or any other firefighter in your house, you don't want to hide," said firefighter Matt Davis, noting that young children are usually afraid of all the alien-looking gear.

 

They loved the gear when Marlowe showed them it, and asked what every tool he had was and its purpose.

 

The children, who Jennifer Marlowe said came up with all the prepared questions, covered all the bases, including, "Who's the first out of bed" when the bell goes off.

 

The group finished the session with fruit, pizza and a soft chocolate chip cookie snack in the station's lounge. Jennifer Marlowe said the next step will be to review the answers to the questions, and eventually make a display to hang at the center.

 

John Marlowe said they give tours to children quite frequently, as well as visit classrooms.

 

"We love when the kids come in, it's a good time to teach them," Davis said. "We want them to learn they're safe, we're here to help them."