By Marisa Dawson
Kids gathered outside the Bennington Public Library last Wednesday for a hands-on lesson in fire safety as members of the Bennington Fire Department visited as part of the library’s annual Summer Reading Program.
Each Wednesday throughout the summer, the library invites local organizations and community partners to introduce kids to different careers, services and educational topics through interactive presentations. This week’s program featured firefighters and paramedics, who arrived with a fire engine and an ambulance, giving children the opportunity to climb inside the emergency vehicles, ask questions, learn about fire safety and watch a firefighter suit up in full turnout gear.
For Captain Eric Shockley, events like these serve an important purpose beyond simply showcasing the department’s equipment.
“Just to save life, hopefully reduce fires, help us help you, basically,” Shockley said. “It’s about teaching fire safety to the kids, teaching people to get out of fires quickly, having plans… Things like that can potentially save a life. That’s what we’re here to do.”
As a father himself, Shockley said educating children carries even more personal significance.
“It’s the most important thing to protect the children, in my opinion,” he said. “Having your own really makes you think about it. Especially when I’m at work and my kids are alone, I want them to have as much knowledge as possible, and I want the public kids to also have as much knowledge as possible.”
The demonstration of firefighters putting on their protective gear proved to be one of the day’s biggest highlights, helping kids see that the people behind the masks and helmets are there to help them.
Youth Services Librarian Johnna Ware said watching the children encourage firefighter Cole Keller during the demonstration was her favorite part of the program.
“I especially loved watching the kids cheer on the firefighter as he raced to put his gear on!” Ware said.
She hopes the experience leaves children with an important message if they ever face an emergency.
“I hope that seeing the firefighters both in and out of their gear helps kids feel safe around all first responders,” she said. “Especially in the event of an emergency!”
Ware said programs like the fire department visit also help introduce new families to everything the library has to offer.
“We always hope that hosting fun events like the fire department will help families discover our library and come back to visit us again!” she said.
Over the years, she has found that children respond best when they are actively involved.
“We find that any event with interactive parts is always a hit,” Ware said. “Kids love to engage with the world around them and a stronger connection forms when they can participate in the presentation. The fire department is one of the best presentations for that reason!”
That interactive approach has become a major focus of the library’s summer programming, according to Library Director Lisa Flaxbeard.
“Our library staff is all about offering hands-on, interactive events—like our fire department visit—that bring local experts and organizations into our space and encourage active participation and connection that engages the curiosity and energy of today’s children,” Flaxbeard said.
She added that partnerships with organizations such as the fire department have strengthened the library’s role within the community.
“These partnerships support the library’s role as a true community hub that brings people together and fosters a sense of local pride and relevance,” Flaxbeard said. “The ‘unexpected’ benefit is often the long-term relationship we build with these organizations, which creates a more sustainable and supportive network for future endeavors.”
For firefighter/EMT Cole Keller, the event carried special meaning because he once attended similar library programs as a child growing up in Bennington.
“It means a lot, especially because I grew up here,” Keller said. “So when I was a kid, I was in the library waiting for stuff like this to happen. So it’s huge to me.”
Although he has only been with the department for five months, Keller said he enjoys sharing what he has learned with the community.
“I try and share what I can, and I love doing show and tell and stuff like that,” he said. “It’s a blast, I love it.”
He also believes small interactions can leave lifelong impressions.
“I’ve talked to our chief when I was a young kid,” Keller said. “I think that changed my trajectory for life. So telling kids small things that they can remember, I might cross paths with one of them 25 years down the road. That’s super special.”
Beyond inspiring future firefighters, Keller emphasized that public education has become an increasingly important part of the department’s mission.
“I think it’s awareness,” he said. “We don’t run as many fires anymore. Part of that is public education.”
He noted that while modern homes often contain more combustible materials than in previous decades, educating families about fire prevention and emergency planning can make a critical difference.
“So people knowing what to do and how to do it and when to do it and the right way to do it is huge in saving lives,” Keller said.
Captain Eric Shockley said the community events also benefit firefighters themselves, especially newer members of the department.
“It’s good to have the new recruits get to know the public as well,” he said. “The public get to know them, and then seeing the impact of the kids in the community getting to know them and hopefully teaching them a thing or two.”
As the kids and families explored the fire engine and ambulance, peppered firefighters with questions and learned how to stay safe during an emergency, the program embodied the goals shared by both the library and the fire department: creating meaningful community connections while equipping children with knowledge that could one day save lives.
