Kids celebrate Heroes Day at the Rockville Centre Public Library

More than 300 kids and parents gathered outside of the Rockville Centre Public Library on Friday for Heroes Day — a highly anticipated event that gives local children a chance to learn and experience first-hand the duties and responsibilities of first responders.

“Everyone had a terrific time exploring the fire trucks, police car and ambulance,” Cathy Overton, the director of the Rockville Centre Public Library, said in an email. “Special thanks to RVC’s bravest and finest — our police officers, volunteer firefighters and EMTs — for making it such a special day for our community!

Jennifer Marino, the head of the library’s youth services, said that the event began during the summer reading program in 2015. The theme that year was “Every Hero has a story,” when Librarian Jen Rebmann saw the opportunity to host a “real heroes day” with local firefighters and police officers.

“It was such a success that first year, that we decided to keep having it and it has grown every years,” Marino said. “It’s become a highlight of the summer and both kids and adults really enjoy themselves.”

Marino told the Herald in a previous interview that the event also helps break the ice for kids who want to grow up to be firefighters or police officers, by providing a much calmer atmosphere to experience certain things, such as riding in an ambulance or fire truck, when its not an emergency.

During the annual event on Friday morning, volunteers with the Rockville Centre Fire Department and the Rockville Centre Police Department gave kids and parents a tour of the vehicles, and even let them use some of the instruments inside, including the sirens and radios.

“Jen Marino and the Library directors put a lot of time and effort into this,” Michael Lucchesi, a member of the Rockville Centre Library Board of Trustees and candidate for Nassau County Legislator, said. “The kids love it and that’s what’s important.”

Some kids even dressed the part, putting on helmets while volunteers with the Junior Fire Department put on their weighted gear and equipment to demonstrate how they prepare for a fire.

“I think that Heroes Day is a wonderful event for our village,” Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray said. “Defender Hose Company No. 1 and Floodlight Rescue Company No. 1 are here teaching kids about firematics and how to use the different equipment.”

Members of Defender Hose Company No. 1 hooked up a line to a nearby hydrant to give kids a chance to use the hose, while firefighters and EMTs with Floodlight Company gave tours of the ambulance and explained how the different equipment operates.

The Rockville Centre Police Department also showed parents and kids around one of the police vehicles and even let them use the siren, and when they got out, gave the kids free pencils and bookmarks.