Discover, learn and yes, have fun!
Climb on, join in. Providing a fun and educational experience to kids and families is at the very heart of the Museum’s mission.
The FASNY Museum of Firefighting provides visitors young and old with a variety of opportunities for exploration, discovery and education.
This is not a typical museum: we have blended the best features of a classic history museum with a children’s museum to become a modern hybrid. There are many areas of the Museum that are “look only.” However, we know children and adults retain concepts better when they “do,” so the Museum offers interactive areas where learning opportunities are presented through hands on activities. Look for the “Firestar” Dalmatian signs throughout the Museum to locate these interactive areas.
Discovery Trucks: Creative play on real antique fire engines
Suit up and turn out — dress in real firefighting gear, climb aboard and let your imagination run free.
The Museum’s designated Discovery Trucks give visitors the chance to get up close and hands on. Explore and play your way on these real, retired apparatus– Plenty of firefighting fun and photo ops for the whole family!
“Virtual First Responder” Firetruck Experience
Lights…siren…action!
Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel! Climb into the driver’s seat of a real firetruck and virtually “respond” to a fire call. Safely navigate through traffic, choose your route and arrive safely at the scene. You’ll get a video-simulated feel for what it’s like to turn out just like a real firefighter!
Pump it UP!
How do firefighters get water to the fire? Find out by learning through doing.
”Pump it UP!” is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) based interactive series of hands-on exhibits that teaches visitors about the physics, logistics and mechanics that make firefighting possible.
Water is the key to firefighting. Pumps, valves and tactical operations are all important parts of the equation. Through Pump it UP, visitors not only see the entire picture in action, they are part of the action! In addition, the history of the tanker truck itself is explained, and a wall of water jugs visually helps visitors realize just how many gallons of water a tanker can hold. This one-of-a-kind immersive educational experience is a big hit with kids and adults alike.
This interactive exhibit was made possible by major sponsor VFIS/Hubbinette Cowell Associates, Inc.
Fire in the Valley: Bucket Brigade
Fighting a fire 18th century-style: the power of cooperation
Try your hand at fighting a fire like a Dutch colonist in New Amsterdam, later renamed New York by the British. During the 1700s, fires were fought not with trucks and hoses, but with leather buckets. Form your lines and see if you can put out a simulated fire in a colonial thatch hut using reproduction buckets and “water” represented by balls…teamwork in action.
This interactive exhibit was made possible by major sponsors Hudson River Bank and Trust Foundation and the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
Junior Firefighter Challenge Course
Training is essential to be a firefighter; give the kids’ course a go!
Have the right stuff to be a Junior Firefighter? The Museum bets you do! Complete the Jr. Firefighter Challenge Course: slide down the pole, put out the fire with the water cannon, climb the ladder, hoist the tools, crawl under the smoke and save the victim!
For the safety of the Museum’s young guests, children must be between 36 and 60 inches tall (3 to 5 feet) to enter the Jr. Firefighter Challenge area. The course is open and available during regular Museum hours, except from 10-noon during Super Saturday events (please see Events for specific dates).
This interactive exhibit was made possible by major sponsor VFIS/Hubbinette Cowell Associates, Inc., as well as a generous in-kind donation by Williams Lumber.
The Cabot/McCadam Discovery Room
Firefighting and Art…You Betcha!
The Discovery Room has stations that change seasonally, but usually feature educational programming including games, books, puzzles and interactive stations. This includes the “Get Low and Go” practice station and the “Stop, Drop and Roll with Firestar” practice station, as well as others.
As you walk around the Museum, you will see that many of the fire engines have art on them. So in that spirit, our friends at Cabot/McCadam Cheese have provided everything you need to make a masterpiece of your own.
This interactive area was made possible by the generous donation and continued support of Cabot/McCadam Cheese.
It’s A Small World
Everything is Awesome in the Lego Universe!
Do you love Legos? We do! What about “Eye Spy”? OMG, us too! We have taken our love for Legos and “Eye Spy” and developed two Lego fire scenes for little ones. Can you find all the objects at the beach scene? How about the park scene?