WAYNE FISH
Learning fire safety for the home and workplace might not sound like a barrel of laughs, but it can be if you take part in next month’s Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic 5K.
The fine folks at the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company are once again bringing Truck 21 along with a full crew to the 21st annual Classic on Sunday, May 19 at the renowned theme park.
Chief Frank Farry and the boys will be on hand to teach you a thing or two about what it takes to prevent dangerous fires.
While you’re there, have the kids sit in the cab of the big truck and get a feel for what it’s like to be on the way to putting out a fire.
Who knows? Maybe one of the Sesame characters will show up ... possibly Cookie Monster, who happened to be sitting in the truck the other day when some pre-race photographs were taken to promote the race.
“The Classic is always a great event, it’s always one of the best in Bucks County and it raises money for a good cause (the Dick Dougherty Scholarship Fund),’’ said Farry.
“For the fire company, it provides us an opportunity to be out in the community, teach a little fire safety, provide some information to the families which are here – and they get a chance to get their picture with their children on the fire truck.’’
It should be noted that there’s more to fire safety at home than just having smoke detectors that work. And you’re never too young to learn about ways to prevent fires from happening.
“Learning about fire safety is an important thing,’’ Farry noted, “because who knows if one of those tips we give that day, some of the information we give out ultimately makes a difference between someone’s house catching on fire or somebody getting hurt or not getting hurt.’’
The Classic’s Start/Finish banner once again will be mounted on Truck 21’s ladder and the whole scene makes for an exciting spectacle.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to show off the truck,’’ Farry said.
“Teach people about the equipment and fire safety.’’
Some of the things that Farry’s company encourages are 10-year batteries for all smoke detectors as well as carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home. Carbon monoxide basically is an odorless gas, which can be lethal.
Sesame Place’s P.J. Schweizer coordinates the Sesame characters’ appearances. He’s adding a few exciting “new looks’’ to the race this year and the usual big turnout is expected.
“We’re excited to be hosting the race and whenever someone from the community comes it increases the sense of involvement,’’ Schweizer said.
“Since we’re all about kids and we’re about educating kids, when they see something like a fire truck, it makes them interested in fire safety and what firemen do everyday. I think it makes them more responsible citizens in general.’’
This is a big year in the world of Sesame. It’s the 50th anniversary of the television show Sesame Street, which is where it all began, and the 35th anniversary of Sesame Place.
“Sesame Street, in general, and Sesame Place is all about giving kids the Sesame tools to be not only successful in school but that they’re also successful, happy people.
“Part of that is making their environment as safe as possible.’’
For more information about the event, visit
sesameplaceclassic5k.com.
