Bristol firefighter Steve Hicks shows off “Patches” and “Pumper”
Photo courtesty of Bristol Herald Courier
CHILDREN IN BRISTOL TENNESSEE WILL SOON HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET “PATCHES” AND “PLUMPER” – THE NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE BRISTOL FIRE DEPARTMENT’S FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM. PATCHES IS A LIFE-SIZE, ROBOTIC DALMATIAN THAT SITS INSIDE PUMPER, A MINIATURE, RED FIRE TRUCK. JACK SPURGEON, EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, SAYS THE ROBOTS ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO EDUCATE YOUTH ABOUT FIRE SAFETY. THE ROBOTS CAN ALSO SQUIRT WATER AND CONTAIN A “SUPER MOTOR” POWERFUL ENOUGH TO BE USED IN PARADES. SPURGEON BELIEVES THAT, BY USING PATCHES AND PUMPER, IT WILL HELP PUSH PUBLIC EDUCATION OUTREACH TO NEW LEVELS FOR A LONG TIME.