Firefighters get surprised by school

Firefighters from Engine 37 and Ladder 4 thought they were coming in to teach fire safety to Nardin Elementary's first and second graders. But when they walked into the school the kids were assembled in the gym and greeted the firefighters like rock stars.

They presented them with cards for their acts of bravery and a check for the families of fallen firefighters Chip McCarthy and Jonathan Croom. After all the celebration, the kids and firefighters went outside to get an up-close, hands-on demonstration.

"I squirt the hose, got to make the siren go on, and I got to watch one of the firefighters climb the ladder," said Owen Matteson, a first grader.

Buffalo firefighters, Michael Dougherty said, "We were caught off guard here, we didn't realize. We come every year to teach fire safety to first and second graders and they set us up for this. It's very humbling."

The Nardin students raised more than $1,400 for the fallen firefighters' families through a jeans day and bake sale as a way to thank them for their sacrifice.