Preschool child faces firefighter fear

Herald staff writer

MOSES LAKE — Four-year-old Tally Padilla is terrified of firefighters.

But Tally’s fear didn’t stop her from visiting Moses Lake Fire Station No. 1 Wednesday for a preschool field trip.

The Moses Lake youth developed a fear of firefighters last September, when she became ill with pneumonia, said her mother, Lisa Padilla.

Lisa said Tally rode to Samaritan Healthcare in an ambulance, and was airlifted from Samaritan to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

Ambulances visited the home on later occasions when Tally experienced respiratory problems, Lisa said.

One year after Tally’s experience with pneumonia, her preschool, Brite Beginnings, decided to go on a field trip to the fire station.

Tally clung to her mother during the trip.

“We literally had to leave the room with the trucks,” Lisa recalled.

Because Tally was so nervous, the fire department gave her a comfort bag — which included a blanket, stuffed animal, stickers, crayons and a coloring book, Lisa said.

Tally observed the room with the fire trucks from a window, and did not want to be near the firefighters. But she did look at pictures of firefighters and pointed to the one who brought her the comfort bag.

Tally also felt comfortable with the staff inside the fire station, Lisa said.

All the children received hats, stickers, and a National Fire Safety Council fire safety manual, she said.

“I hope that (other) kids that are scared can also go on these field trips, and even look through the glass,” Lisa said.

Lisa said firefighters taught the children about fire safety, and the children are learning in preschool about dialing 9-1-1.