Robbie Leibe plays with a firehose at the Hartselle Fire Academy Wednesday at Sparkman Park. | Joy Harris

Joy Harris

Hartselle Enquirer

The Hartselle Parks and Rec. Department and the Hartselle Fire Department hosted the annual Fire Academy Wednesday morning at Sparkman Park.

Local kids were able to enjoy experiencing and learning about the job of a firefighter through simulations and challenges.

The firefighters had multiple stations set up to let the kids experience specific tasks first hand. Kids were able to put out a simulated fire on a screen with a water hose. They crawled through an “attic” obstacle course, and carried a dummy to safety. They delivered “supplies” up a tree using a pulley system and practiced their fire hose skills on a target. Each child was able to try on the turnout gear of a firefighter and check out the back of an ambulance.

The Alabama Forestry Commission reminded kids of the dangers of wildfires and let everyone take pictures with Smokey the Bear.

The academy ended with a shower from a fire hose where the kids could run and play to cool off.

Each child learned something new and went home with a new T-shirt.