Recently, more than 20 child patients with cancer at the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children has got excited to get hands-on experience of being a firefighter, and learn practical skills they can take into the real world at the hospital campus.

Firefighter for a day which was launched by the Youth Union Organization of the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Division under the Da Nang Department of Police is a program designed to allow kids to learn about life as a Firefighter while wearing uniforms and learning how to use Firefighter equipment.

Child patients with cancer getting hands-on experience of being a firefighter at the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children’s campus. Photo: L.V

In recent times, the program has become a meaningful playground for children, thereby promoting of the image of the firefighters as heroes to protect the community.

In a mid-April afternoon, the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children’s campus was bustling with kids in firefighter uniform. It was a day filled with laughter, learning, and boundless exploration as kids stepped into a miniature version of the real world, where kids can be a firefighter. This event called the ‘Courageous Steps’ experience program for kids was co-organized by the Youth Union organizations of the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Division and the Hospital, along with the Heart of Love Club.

The program created a useful playground for child patients with cancer as they had an unforgettable day in their life with firefighters. It was also an opportunity for local firefighters to teach children about fire safety while children could learn about the life of a firefighter. In  addition, the program aimed to raise public awareness about fire prevention, as well as teach local residents, the hospital’s doctors and nurses, especially children, about basis fire safe tips to protect lives and property in a fire.

For the first time in their lives, the little ‘warriors’ have overcome their health challenges and their own limits to act as a brave and courageous firefighter they have always dreamed of. During one hour, the children learned about firefighter gear, as well as learned how to use it conveniently and quickly. Furthermore, they learned how to send a fire truck to the scene, how to install fire pumps and hydrants, how to use water and extinguishers to put out a fire. Moreover, they were taught about fire escape skills by firefighters. In particular, the children also had an opportunity to operate the most modern firefighting robot of the Da Nang the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Division.

Looking at the young patients playing innocently, laughing happily while using water to extinguish a fire or posing in front of the camera, no one would think that these are children with serious illnesses. It seemed that in that moment, both their physical and spiritual pain were somewhat eased.

Father of a child patient who participated in the experience program, confided: "The children's journey to fight the disease is still very long and not easy. However, as long as our children are cared for and have fun, the difficulties will be somewhat reduced. There is no greater joy to see our children smile."

Major Nguyen Huy Linh, the Secretary of the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Division, said that since 2023, the experience program to be a firefighter has been organized in 6 schools across the city. Especially, such an event has been organized in a healthcare facility like the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children for the first time.

Even though firefighters have organized such an event for many times, they still couldnot help but feel emotional when joining child patients with cancer for the "Courageous Steps" experience program.

According to Major Nguyen Huy Linh, most of the child patients come from poor families, but they all have a passion to be a firefighter. That is what makes firefighters feel happy.

“With the coordination from local relevant agencies, we hope that such programs as ‘Courageous Steps’ will be a meaningful gift for child patients as these are expected to give extra strength and encouragement to them in an effort to help them overcome their illnesses. In the near future, such an event will be replicated and organized throughout the city”, added Major Nguyen Huy Linh.

Reporting by LAM VIEN – Translating by H.L