Photos: Rockville Centre celebrates local heroes
Hundreds of children and parents gathered outside the Rockville Centre Public Library on Friday to celebrate Heroes Day, an event that allows local kids to learn about the duties and responsibilities of first responders.
“This is our ninth year holding Rockville Centre Heroes Day. Everyone — the children, their parents, and caregivers — had a terrific time getting hands-on experience exploring the fire trucks, police car, and ambulance,” Cathy Overton, director of the Rockville Centre Public Library, said. “Special thanks to RVC’s bravest and finest — our police officers, volunteer firefighters, and EMTs — for once again making it such a memorable day for our community.”
Heroes Day was inspired by the library’s summer reading program in 2015. That year’s theme, “Every Hero Has a Story,” would motivate Librarian Jen Rebmann to organize a “real heroes day” featuring local firefighters, police officers and emergency medical services.
Jennifer Marino, the head of the library’s youth services, told the Herald that the event was so successful in its first year that it has become an annual tradition.
“It’s grown every year,” Marino said. “It’s become a highlight of the summer, and both kids and adults really enjoy themselves.”
Marino also shared that the event also helps break the ice for kids interested in becoming firefighters or police officers by providing a calm environment to experience activities like riding in an ambulance or fire truck without the urgent need for medical attention.
During the event on Friday morning, volunteers from the Rockville Centre Fire Department and the Rockville Centre Police Department gave kids and parents tours of their vehicles and allowed them to use some of the equipment, including sirens and radios.
Some children dressed up in helmets while volunteers from the Junior Fire Department donned their weighted gear to demonstrate how they prepare for a fire.
Members of Defender Hose Company No. 1 hooked up a line to a nearby hydrant, to give children a chance to use the hose, while firefighters and EMTs from Floodlight Company provided ambulance tours and explained the different equipment used in an emergency.
Rockville Centre Police Detective Stefanie Balos, the department’s youth officer, also provided youngsters with a tour of one of the police vehicles and even allowed them to use the siren. As the department’s youth officer, she deals with any issues impacting the lives of children in the village by coordinating her efforts with local schools and parents.
