There is no such thing as being too young when it comes to learning about fire safety. The Reed Memorial Library is partnering with the Ravenna Fire Department on May 17 n Ravenna, to host a hybrid educational and entertainment event that demonstrates the important of fire safety to families.
“We are really excited about it,” Reed Memorial Library’s Youth Services Supervisor Alison Shelley told The Weekly Villager. “This is the first time we have partnered with them for an event like this and we are excited to be able to bring this kind of information and skill in class to our city with such a fun event.”
The event will transition from outdoors to indoors, running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is accessible to all families and free of charge.
A fire truck from the Ravenna Fire Department will be parked in the back parking lot near the pavilion for a Touch-a-Truck experience, allowing the children to not only touch it but also climb onto the fire truck and explore its interior.
“I think being able to come in and see the fire truck and to be able to go on the fire truck and see inside is a huge draw for kids,” Shelley noted. “It is just a peek into the life of one of the community helpers that they know and love. They get a little insider knowledge that is just really interesting for them.”
In addition to the fire truck experience, the Library also will be hosting three safety presentations taught by firefighters in the Library’s meeting room. The three events will cover home cooking safety, home smoke detectors 101 and a fire extinguisher show-and-tell, which includes the Fire Department’s new virtual fire extinguisher demo.
There will also be other activities for the children to participate in, including assembling a paper craft dog that they can bring home. Shelley said that the Library will be offering fire safety materials such as books and movies during the event.
“We encourage families to take home extra materials and to take home any handouts or reminders of what the fire department brings and to take home our crafts, because that will also include some fire safety reminders,” she added. “It is important to revisit this information to remind yourself — repeat and practice, so in case of an emergency, you are prepared.”
Shelley said that the Library and Fire Department had previously partnered to hold events, especially in the Month of October, which is Fire Safety Awareness Month. During that month, the Library and Fire Department had teamed up to host several displays and offered educational material for families to take home.
Children will also be given the opportunity to interact with the dog character, Marshall, of the animated television series “Paw Patrol”, who will appear in costume for the day.
According to her, both the Library and Fire Department wanted to create a bigger event that was not exclusive to the month of October and the idea of “Fired Up for Safety” was born.
“We want to partner with our community members, our other community partners as much as we can,” Shelley said. “We love showcasing partnerships like this and working with other agencies in the City so we are very glad to have the opportunity for the Library to present this day for the kids and the family.”
For Shelley, teaching the importance of fire safety to young children is something that she can relate to, being a mother herself.
“As a mother, it is something that we are just starting to delve into at home with my own child and it is something that I remember learning when I was around my child’s age when I was five-years old,” she said. “Those skills and tips have stayed with me throughout my life, so I am excited to bring them to another generation.”
Based on the attendance of the event, Shelley said that “Fired Up for Safety” day may become an annual occurrence in the City of Ravenna.
“I think it is an extremely important topic and it is a great partnership within our community,” she noted. “It would just be really a fantastic opportunity and I would be so glad to see that happen.”
