East Liverpool Fire Department’s Assistant Fire Chief Lance Smith and firefighters Kevin Cibula, CJ Glista and Shayne Hamilton provided fire safety education during Story Time with Our Firefighters at the East Liverpool Carnegie Public Library.

The firefighters read several stories about firefighters and fire safety to the 16 children and 19 adults present for the story hour.

The children and their families had the opportunity to ask the firefighters questions, enjoy snacks, and take photos with the firefighters.

Cold and damp weather did not stop children from joining the firefighters outside after the story hour to learn about the department’s fire engine parked across the street from the library.

Families who attended the East Liverpool Carnegie Library’s Story Time with our Firefighters on Saturday morning had the chance to see one of the East Liverpool Fire Department’s engines and watch as Assistant Fire Chief Lance Smith extended the engine’s ladder. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Smith and Hamilton opened the engine after Smith extended the engines for the children to see and show them the equipment on the truck.

Hamilton showed them the tools on the engine, explained what they were used for and his turnout gear and explained how it was the protection he wore when fighting fires. He also asked the children how many of them had pets and showed them the smaller oxygen masks they use for pets who may have been injured in a fire.

Hamilton then asked the children how many of them had a favorite hiding spot at home, which most of them responded by raising their hands. He then explained to them that going to that hiding spot in the case of a fire or an emergency was the worst thing they could do because they would be harder for the firefighters to find and rescue. He explained the best thing they could do was be near a door or window where they would be quicker.

Smith donned his full turnout gear including air pack and mask to show the children what a firefighter trying to rescue them in an emergency would like so if they were ever in a fire or emergency situation, they would not be afraid of the firefighter.

Hamilton said the big thing was the children who can be very afraid and see a firefighter in full gear during an emergency thinking they are monster who look scary to them in an already scary situation getting to see them in full gear in a non-emergency situation so they can see they are not scary and are not there to get them, but are there to help them or save them. He noted that is why he earlier explained to the children not to hide from them and to call out to them out instead.

East Liverpool Firefighter Shayne Hamilton shows children who attended the East Liverpool Carnegie Library’s Story Time with our Firefighters on Saturday his turnout gear and explains to them how it protects him in a fire. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Hamilton said the fire department participating in events like a library story hour is very important to the community because it does provide the educational aspect in addition to allowing children to be familiar with firefighters and what they do.

“It’s very rewarding to be involved with something like this and to see the spark in their eyes and the excitement of seeing a big fire truck; they love that,” Hamilton said.

Children’s Librarian Tamara Scafide, East Liverpool Carnegie Library, said the Story Hour with Our Firefighters is the last of the People in the Community Story Hour Series as the library prepares to head into its Summer Reading Program.

“I am very pleased and I think it was a great turnout,” said Scafide, who was initially worried about the rain affecting the turnout. “I thought it was great. We had close to 40 (people) here and yeah of course I always like more, but I was thrilled.

Scafide noted that the Summer Reading Program sign up starts the first week in June, and the program will run through June and July with special events and prizes.

Kolsen Culp, 1, turns his attention from the fire engine on display to splashing in the rain. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com

East Liverpool Firefighter Shayne Hamilton shows families who attended who attended the East Liverpool Carnegie Library’s Story Time with our Firefighters on Saturday the extra ladders stored in the back of the engine and the pick they use to break through ceilings. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Bianka Sanchez, 5, looks on as East Liverpool Firefighter Shayne Hamilton shows the smaller oxygen masks the firefighters keep on the truck for pets. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

East Liverpool Assistant Fire Chief Lance Smith shows children who attended the East Liverpool Carnegie Library’s Story Time with our Firefighters on Saturday what a firefighter in full turnout gear including air pack and mask looks like, so they don’t get scared if they need to be rescued by one. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

East Liverpool Assistant Fire Chief Lance Smith shows children who attended the East Liverpool Carnegie Library’s Story Time with our Firefighters on Saturday what a firefighter in full turnout gear including air pack and mask looks like, so they don’t get scared if they need to be rescued by one.(Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Families who attended the East Liverpool Carnegie Library’s Story Time with our Firefighters on Saturday line up to explore the inside of East Liverpool Fire Department’s engine. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Alyssa Culp takes a photo of her son Kolsen, 1, sitting inside the East Liverpool Fire Department’s engine. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

East Liverpool Firefighter Shayne Hamilton helps Parklynn Culp, 3, climb inside one of the department’s engines. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

After being helped out of a fire engine by East Liverpool Assistant Fire Chief Lance Smith, Luna Noland, 8, waits on her sister Margo to be helped down. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

East Liverpool Assistant Fire Chief Lance Smith helps Margo Noland, 1, out of the department’s engine. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Hannah Hazelet and her children Harper, 2 and Owen, eight months, prepare to exit the East Liverpool Fire Department’s engine after exploring the inside of it. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

Families who attended the East Liverpool Carnegie Library’s Story Time with our Firefighters on Saturday morning had the chance to see one of the East Liverpool Fire Department’s engines and watch as Assistant Fire Chief Lance Smith extended the engine’s ladder. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)