By Angela Marshall
Kid's Fest is an annual village event organized by the Parks and Recreation Department to make sure children can handle crisis situations.
The event became one big hands-on adventure for many of the children. They climbed into fire trucks, police cars and even the helicopter. Marissa Snitkoff, 10, got to try on a Kevlar vest with a shock plate.
Peggy and Brendan Carroll have been bringing their two children, Brian and Annie, for years. I think it's great, said Brendan, as they waited in line for the smoke house.
The smoke house, borrowed from the Valley Stream Fire Department, allows children to experience the same conditions as a burning house. Instead of just hearing that they should crawl on the floor to get better air, the kids actually do it.
Brendan said one of the best parts of Kid's Fest is that the children learn to see police officers and firefighters as regular guys and part of the community.
Janine O'Connor agreed. A first-time attendee, Janine wanted to make sure her daughter, Sydney, 4 1/2, knew who to go to in an emergency. And so if she meets a firefighter in full gear, she won't be afraid.
Every year it gets better, said Lisa Guardino, whose daughter, Victoria, is 4.
Victoria went through the smoke house the first time last year and Lisa was a little skeptical about whether she was old enough. But Victoria did fine and Lisa plans to bring her daughter back every year to reinforce what she learned.
Lisa also thought it was important for her daughter to watch as firefighters from Floodlight Co. 1 dismantled a car using the jaws of life and other tools. It was eye opening for Lisa as well. She had never seen what firefighters do to get trapped people out of cars before.
Unfortunately, you have to do it too often on Long Island, said Mayor Eugene Murray, also a member of the fire department.
Accidents requiring the jaws of life usually happen after a driver ignores a stop sign or red light, the mayor said. And it's not just teenagers behind the wheel during these deadly crashes. I think it's time for many of our residents over the age of 21 to start taking driver safety classes.
In addition to raising safety awareness, Kid's Fest focuses on other health issues as well. At Mercy Medical Center's booth, children were given paper doctor and nurses hats as well as valuable health tips.
Stressing that activity keeps a body healthy, representatives from many of Rockville Centre's sports organizations set up booths explaining their programs and allowing children to sign up.
It's a great event, said Craig Simonian, who was manning the Rockville Centre Basketball League booth with Mike Goetz. Craig said Kid's Fest gives the sports groups a chance to meet many of the new children in the village.
