Sunday, January 2nd, 2011

After much anticipation, I was well enough this weekend to go to the Unified Fire Department in Salt Lake for my own personal tour. My night nurse, Michelle is dating Tom at Unified Fire. Because they knew how much I loved firefighters, they arranged to have me come by for a visit. Last weekend I wasn't feeling good enough to go so we held off until today when I was feeling better. To add to the fun, my three cousins (Jackson, Traiton and Gavin) came along too! When we pulled up in front of the big doors I was so excited I could barely contain myself! The doors opened to reveal two fire trucks, an ambulance and five EMT/firefighters washing their beautiful Harley Davidson's and..... I quickly decided I hated the fire station. OK, hate is probably too strong of a word. Actually, I went back and forth between being shy and crying in fear. Jackson is 9 months younger than me and he looked unimpressed the entire visit. He was more interested in his ring pop sucker than anything he was seeing. In fact, the answer to every question asked of him was "no." Do you want to go sit in the fire truck? Do you want to get on the stretcher? Do you want to put on the fireman's hat? No, no and no!!! So while I was crying or hiding and Jackson was yelling "no" at least Gavin and Traiton were having a great time! They got to climb in the fire truck, go up and down on the stretcher, get their pulse and blood pressure taken on the ambulance. Meanwhile, I stayed as far away from everyone as possible! At one point, I did agree to let Mommy sit on the stretcher (most of the time I was clinging to her leg or hiding behind her) and I would take her picture. As you can see, I'm pretty good at running the digital camera. Tom and Michelle had a special gift for me and while my other cousins talked to the other firemen, Tom took Mommy and I for a private tour of the building. I got to see where they ate, watched TV and slept. I also got to see the fireman's pole (yep they have one just like my fire station) and I met the captain and the engineer. And best of all I got a pink Unified Fire t-shirt and hoodie. Super cute!

While she had a captive audience, Mommy also took the time to get some questions answered on the things she could do to help EMT's if they ever have to pay a visit to our home. Tom had some good suggestions that Mommy will put in place right away.

Thanks to Michelle, Tom and all the other firefighters for letting us come by! (Tom even said I could come back in the summer and we could pull out the truck and put up the ladder!) Of course, as soon as I left I couldn't stop talking about my visit. Can't wait till summer!

Peyton Nicole Smith