The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

A group of a dozen or so youngsters gathered outside the library last Saturday to "Meet a Real Hero" as part of the Summer Reading Program. Several firefighters from Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department came by to engage with the kids and share some fun and some fire-safety tips.

Community Librarian Paige Bentley-Flannery opened the program with some songs about firefighters sung to familiar tunes like "The wheels on the fire truck go round and round..." then she handed out crayons and pictures to color. She had a number of books on display about firefighters, including "I Drive a Fire Engine," "We Work at the Fire," and "Let's Meet a Firefighter," which she encouraged the children to check out for more information.

Shift Commander Rob Harrison and volunteer Captain Jeff Liming were on hand to greet the children and their parents, and answer questions. Volunteer firefighter Heather Miller explained the gear that firefighters wear on the job while resident volunteer firefighter Sam Utley donned about 50 pounds of protective boots, pants, jacket, hood, helmet and oxygen tank and mask, which they have to jump into in 60 seconds when the alarm goes off at the station.

Their reason for showing the children what a firefighter looks like in full gear is so they won't be frightened if they run into one during a house fire. They had the children come up to hug firefighter Utley so they know this is a friend who has come to help them if they are ever in trouble.

The kids were then invited to climb into the fire truck and an ambulance, and pretend to be real firefighting heroes. They got to ask lots of questions about how they take care of people who are sick or in accidents and need to get to the hospital as fast as possible.

Firefighter Miller, who is also the public education coordinator for the fire department, wants to remind people that we are in a high fire-danger period and to be conscious when using flammable materials. Be sure to extinguish cigarette butts, don't throw them out car windows, drown campfires, dampen bark covering close to structures, and no outdoor burning is allowed.

She also warns "especially children and elders, who are more prone to heat stroke, to stay hydrated, carry bottled water, stay in the shade, and not to leave children or pets in the car even with the windows open for any length of time."

Librarian Flannery is excited about the Summer Reading Program and hopes it will get families in the habit of stopping by the library as part of their Saturday routine so the kids will get to know it as a safe place to hang out where fun and learning take place.

In two weeks, August 15, the Saturday program will be the LEGO® Block Party. Bring your friends and imagination. And for children who will be entering kindergarten this fall, it's Get Ready for Kindergarten with stories, songs, crafts and fun on Friday, August 21.