As health professionals and local officials recommend staying home, the Fulton firefighter's union is giving those on the verge of cabin fever a break with a virtual tour of the fire station.
In the video, which will be posted today, viewers can see firetrucks and gear, as well as where firefighters eat, sleep and train.
"Just the little bits and pieces," said Justin Malone, vice president of Fulton Professional Firefighters Local 2945. "It's educational but also to keep the kids entertained while at home."
School districts across Callaway County sent students home last week with plans to reopen in early April in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a global pandemic which has infected at least nine so far locally.
Under normal circumstances, members of the public could call the fire department to request a tour. That isn't an option now - the fire station is currently closed to all but on-duty firefighters.
Malone said they got the idea of a virtual tour from other fire departments that have already done so, including the department in St. Charles, whose Facebook livestream has garnered nearly 700 comments so far.
"I saw it and thought, that's a really good idea," Malone said.
The Facebook post announcing the tour has already been shared by many in the community, including numerous Fulton families, teachers and schools.
Malone said he started up a YouTube account specifically for the tour and plans on posting the video on the Fulton Professional Firefighters Local 2945 Facebook page.