Hughes Springs VFD makes it rain at the library

By: J. Leslie Riseden

Special Contributor to

The Steel Country Bee

Fluffy white foam, a giant water hose, and blessings from all the grown-ups to play in it…what more could a kid ask for on a muggy summer morning? Hughes Springs Area Library and the Hughes Springs Volunteer Fire Department teamed up for a smashing success July 28, when Fire Chief Jay Cates brought trucks and firefighters to the library for the final library event of the summer.

First, there was an informal briefing session with the children. “When do you call 9-1-1?” Chief Cates asked. Kids shouted out their answers: “When your house is on fire!” “When you smell smoke!” “When you get in a car wreck!” Chief Cates: “Right. And, do you call 9-1-1 if your brother is being mean to you?” “Noooooo!” came the enthusiastic response. Kids were also given the opportunity to see and feel the heavy axes, sledgehammers and pry-bars that firefighters must use when breaking through a door or a roof.

Chief Cates then introduced Firefighter (and son) Ryan Cates, in full firefighting gear, including firerepellent suit, gloves, boots, helmet, face mask and breathing apparatus. It is a sad fact that small children, in the urgent and frantic terror that accompanies a house fire, have been known to run and even hide from the very people who are there to rescue them, because they are frightened by the sight of the firefighters in all their gear. In a truly moving scene, Ryan Cates knelt down to talk to the kids, answer their questions, and let them see and touch the gear up close. Dozens of kids hugged him, and he hugged them back. These kids – no doubt – will never fear the sight of these brave men and women who risk their lives to save children in the most perilous circumstances.

Next, Firefighter Cindy Taylor sprayed the parking lot with fire-retardant foam, and the game was on. About a hundred children jumped, ran and rolled in the bio-degradable foam, tossing it into the air and making foam hats, moustaches and even “foam angels.” How does one clean up a parking lot full of foam-covered children? Turn on the hose, of course. With Chief Cates at the controls, a startling blast sounded from an adjacent fire truck, and a gigantic plume of water began to fall on the children. Laughter and high-pitched squeals of joy filled the air as kids played in their own private rain shower, soaking everyone who wanted to get wet.

Special acknowledgement goes to Mrs. Jean Austin, her staff and volunteers from the library, and to the firefighters who were able to join in on Thursday’s activities: Chief Jay Cates, and Firefighters Delores Kennedy, Cindy Taylor, David Vernon, Ryan Cates, Daniel Vestel, and Bobby McDaniel. From toddlers to tweens – and all the adults who took the time to bring these kids to the library – a good time was had by all, thanks to the Hughes Springs Area Library and the valiant and caring firefighters of the Hughes Springs Volunteer Fire Department.