CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) \u2014 We know what firefighters are called to do: put out fires and respond when people need help. But what happens when there isn\u2019t an emergency?<\/p>\n
At Cape Coral Fire Station 4, the work doesn\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n
Firefighters work 24-hour shifts, and their day starts with a shift change at 7:30 a.m. Once the new crew arrives, one of the first things they do is check the engine and all of their equipment.<\/p>\n
That means going through everything they could need during a call, from hoses and portable air supplies to equipment used for medical emergencies and rescues, including situations where someone may be trapped in a vehicle or even a canal.<\/p>\n
The crew also makes sure the fire truck is clean and ready to go.<\/p>\n
For Lieutenant Steve Hernden, taking care of the truck is part of taking pride in the job.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do this for the city. We want our truck to look good so the people can be proud,\u201d Hernden said.<\/p>\n
Firefighters also spend time working out during their shifts, but their workouts go beyond simply staying in shape.<\/p>\n
They train to be able to carry and move people during emergencies and practice the techniques they may need when someone\u2019s life is on the line.<\/p>\n
And after spending 24 hours together, the crew has another important part of their routine: eating together.<\/p>\n
Firefighters at Station 4 cook two meals during their shifts, with everything from crockpot meals to smash burgers making an appearance.<\/p>\n
But Hernden said the meals are about more than what’s on the plate.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery three days these guys are your family. So we make it a point to eat together. It\u2019s not necessarily about the food, but it\u2019s about the brotherhood and the bond,\u201d Hernden said.<\/p>\n
That bond is an important part of life inside the fire station, where firefighters work, train, eat and respond to calls side by side for an entire 24-hour shift.<\/p>\n
You can also meet some of Cape Coral\u2019s firefighters during an upcoming Fire Prevention Week event.<\/p>\n
The Cape Coral Fire Department is kicking off Fire Prevention Week at Chick-fil-A on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon.<\/p>\n
Families can meet Sparky the Fire Dog, play Fire Safety Bingo and learn important fire safety tips, including how to safely use and charge lithium-ion batteries.<\/p>\n
The event will be held at Chick-fil-A at 1790 NE Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.<\/p>\n