Hold a fire hose yourself, put out a fire, take a ride with the fire engine or the aerial platform. People with disabilities got the chance to get into the shoes of the firefighter today. It was the Amstelveen barracks that opened its doors to allow various residential groups of the Ons Tweede Thuis foundation to experience what it is like to live as a fire brigade.
Residents of Ons Tweede Thuis put themselves in the shoes of the fire brigade – NH Nieuws
Visitor Sanjay is tasked with aiming a fire hose exactly at the right place: into a clown’s wide-open mouth. A wooden copy that is. It is one of the dexterity tests that visitors can take today to see if they have a bit of the trade.
“You have to aim very well,” says Sanjay. “It’s quite difficult with such a powerful beam. You quickly shoot in all directions.” Meanwhile, one of the fire trucks returns from a tour with a deafening siren. When the doors open, all excited faces appear. “A great experience”, says a young man with a big smile. “That siren is going very loud. I’m a little bit deaf.”
A contribution to a better society
Want to contribute to a better society. In short, this is the reason why the barracks open its doors to people with disabilities every two years. “We are very happy to do this,” said commander of the barracks Raymond Wiegman.
“And the interest is always high. Today we have no fewer than 74 guests who we can entertain.” And furthermore, it is mainly about giving visitors a nice day, according to guide of Ons Tweede Thuis, Manouk Meijer. “The value of this day is that they have a good time, that they are out of the housing facility for once and that they also get a piece of society with them. And I think it is a success. I only see happy faces.”
“This also contributes to awareness of the dangers of fire”
“We learn how to put out a fire in a playful way,” says commander Wiegman. “Of course you hope they never end up in such a situation. But experiences like this always contribute to awareness of the dangers of fire.”
Meanwhile, the aerial platform in the background rises to unprecedented heights. Once back down, the two gentlemen in the box claim not to have been afraid for a moment. “Don’t panic,” one of them said. “How high have I been? I wouldn’t know. Very high anyway. But I wasn’t afraid.” Commander Wiegman visibly enjoys. “It’s great to see. Let them enjoy themselves. That’s the most important.”