NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — With their uniforms and gear, first responders such as firefighters and EMTs can appear scary to some children in emergency situations.
A new North Whitehall Township event is aimed at helping children feel more comfortable around first responders and educate them about fire safety.
The township will hold its first Breakfast with Badges event on from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 3, at Northern Valley EMS, 2375 Levans Road.
The event will have firetrucks and ambulances for kids to touch, educational crafts about fire safety and free cold breakfast items, including donated bagels from North Whitehall-based Back Home Bagels.
Township Recreation & Communications Coordinator Courtney Corona said it's important for children to interact with first responders outside of an emergency.
“You can put a face to the person that will be able to help you.”Township Recreation & Communications Coordinator Courtney Corona
“It's important for them to understand that the first responders are there to help them, even though they might look scary with all the gear,” Corona said.
“You can put a face to the person that will be able to help you.”
Corona said other local municipalities have held events like "Coffee with a Cop" to build trust between community members and police, but North Whitehall does not have its own police force.
“But we are blessed in this community to have more than one first responding organization in our borders,” Corona said.
Representatives from Northern Valley EMS, Neffs Volunteer Fire Company, Laurys Station Volunteer Fire Company and Schnecksville Fire Company will be at the event.
The state police, which North Whitehall uses in lieu of its own department, will not be able to attend, Corona said. For more information, visit the township website.
