When a Binghamton Fire Department “quint” truck pulled up to West Middle School Tuesday morning, it did so slowly and without sirens or flashing lights. Thankfully, there was no emergency at the school. Instead, one of BFD’s assistant chiefs and a firefighter were there to say “thank you” to a student.
Recently, sixth grade student Dominick Buemi wrote a letter to local firefighters, police, and paramedics as part of an assignment in Heather Rinkavage’s English/Language Arts class. The letter read:
"Thank you for all you do and your service. I hope one day I can be as brave
as you all and protect others. I just wanted to say that I sleep better at night when
you are on the job. Also, I want to become a policeman in Binghamton when I
grow up. I want to help and protect people just like firefighters and paramedics. I
hope you stay safe on the job. You're all my heroes!"
Buemi didn’t necessarily expect a response from any of the departments, and he certainly did not expect them to show up in his classroom. But when he arrived to Mrs. Rinkavage’s room Tuesday morning, Assistant Chief Rich Allen and Firefighter Alec Peterson, the latter donning full fire-fighting gear, were there to greet him.
“I was surprised because I knew they would read my letter, but I didn’t think I would be recognized,” Buemi said. “I also feel extra special that they came to my school to see me.”
Allen and Peterson stayed for two class periods and answered dozens of questions from Buemi and his classmates. Everything from how hot they get wearing their equipment - Peterson said he was sweating as he answered - to what kind of education is required to be a firefighter.
“I love being able to interact with kids like this, to educate them, maybe to get a little bit of fire safety in there,” Allen said. “Kids have questions about public safety and first responders and sometimes they become afraid of firefighters and police officers; we don’t want them to have that so hopefully visits like these give them some familiarity and comfort with us.”
The firefighters were able to share information about the process behind the response to each call, how the students can help keep themselves and their families safe, as well as the the Binghamton Fire Department responsibilities beyond putting out fires.
“I think it’s important (that we talk to firefighters) because they just don’t take out fires, they are also EMTs and they rescue animals,” Buemi said. “They are the heroes of Binghamton, and we wouldn’t be safe without them.”
As excited as Buemi and his class were to meet the firefighters, Allen and Peterson were equally thrilled to have the opportunity to stop by West Middle.
“We don’t do it for the thank yous, but it’s nice to be recognized once in a while and be appreciated, especially by someone young who you may be able to have some positive influence on,” Allen said.