An encounter with a deaf student encourages a fire lieutenant and his fellow firefighters to sign up for evening ASL classes to improve communication between firefighters and the community's deaf children.
Breaking Barriers: Texas Firefighters Learn ASL to Better Serve Deaf Community
McAllen, Texas, is known for its educational programs and resources for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. It’s no surprise the city has seen a steady increase in its deaf population, especially among children.
During a recent fire safety presentation at a local elementary school, Lieutenant Mark Zamora of the McAllen Fire Department recognized a communication gap between the city’s firefighters and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
"I was in a second-grade classroom where there was a deaf student," said Lt. Zamora, who is also the department's public safety officer. "The student seemed disconnected from the discussion, and I found myself really wishing I could communicate directly with him and make him feel more included in the conversation."
The experience triggered an even bigger conversation about how the fire department could better serve McAllen's deaf and hard-of-hearing children during emergencies.
Thanks to the city's excellent educational resources, the McAllen Independent School District (IDS) doesn't just cater to its own hard-of-hearing and deaf students; it also supports students from 20 neighboring districts, and this number is expected to grow.
"These kids are being bussed in every day, and it's our job to ensure they are not only protected to the best of our ability but also feel included," said Lt. Zamora. "It is our job and responsibility to advocate for them."
Lt. Zamora put in a proposal to allow the department's firefighters to participate in American Sign Language (ASL) classes. The department chief immediately approved the proposal, and Lt. Zamora and a group of fellow McAllen firefighters signed up for an ASL evening course at a local middle school. The course is specifically designed for first responders and is facilitated by the McAllen Regional Day School for the Deaf, which is coordinated through the McAllen ISD.
According to Victoria Gomez, the course instructor, the program's focus isn't on making the firefighters fluent in ASL. Instead, it aims to teach them basic signs for quick communication with deaf children during emergencies, particularly those who may not be able to read lips or write. This includes signs for words like "emergency," "medicine," and "firefighter," along with questions like "What's hurting you?" and "Where is the pain?"
“Learning sign language can be very overwhelming,” said Gomez, who is deaf and understands the importance of effective communication in critical situations. “I start with teaching the alphabet and then go from there. I try to keep it as simple as possible.”
McAllen firefighters no longer have to wait for an interpreter to arrive on the scene to communicate with a deaf child. The ASL course gives them the basic knowledge they need to communicate fast in cases of immediate danger or calm a child down in less critical moments.
The McAllen firefighters are not required to take the course but may choose to volunteer their time. Lt. Zamora said ten first responders from the McAllen F.D., including himself, are currently in the program. He believes learning basic ASL will eventually be critical for McAllen firefighters, and he’s happy to see the initiative gain traction.
According to Lt. Zamora, the push for McAllen firefighters to learn basic ASL isn’t just about emergency responsiveness—it’s also about inclusivity and ensuring all community members feel seen and heard.
“It’s such a great feeling to see the joy on a kid’s face when they realize they can communicate with you at a school presentation or community event,” said Lt. Zamora. “All I have to do is a simple sign, and their faces suddenly light up. They're excited to be part of the conversation.”
The McAllen firefighters' commitment to learning basic ASL is a great example of how first responders are expanding their roles beyond traditional duties, ensuring every child feels included, and no child is left behind in times of need.