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Wallkill Valley FBLA hosts Safety Town

| 17 Apr 2014 | 01:15
    Detective Kieran McMorrow explains the role Atlas continues to play as a member of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department.
    Detective Kieran McMorrow explains the role Atlas continues to play as a member of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department.
    The Hardyston Fire Department enabled the Safety Town participants to walk through the township’s fire truck.
    The Hardyston Fire Department enabled the Safety Town participants to walk through the township’s fire truck.
    Detective Mike Masters, Sgt. Edward O’Rourke, and McGruff demonstrate the use of a police shield at Safety Town.
    Detective Mike Masters, Sgt. Edward O’Rourke, and McGruff demonstrate the use of a police shield at Safety Town.
    Children were able to learn about the Wallkill Valley First Aid Squad at the 2014 Safety Town program provided by Wallkill Valley Regional High School FBLA members.
    Children were able to learn about the Wallkill Valley First Aid Squad at the 2014 Safety Town program provided by Wallkill Valley Regional High School FBLA members.
    Wallkill Valley FBLA members presented an Easter egg hunt for the children after the Safety Town program.
    Wallkill Valley FBLA members presented an Easter egg hunt for the children after the Safety Town program.

HAMBURG — The Wallkill Valley Regional High School chapter of Future Business Leader of America hosted Safety Town for children in Pre-K through Grade 4 at the high school on April 12.

The purpose of the program was to develop a positive working relationship and support group among Wallkill Valley FBLA members and the Hardyston Fire Department, Hardyston Police Department, Wallkill Valley First Aid Squad, and Sussex County Sheriff’s Office; educate children from the community in grades Pre-K through Grade 4 about the importance of safety personnel and the roles they play in the community; emphasize the importance of safety at home and in school; and provide a learning experience through a relaxed, fun activity.

Kaitlyn VanDyk, FBLA Community Service vice president, created the program and collaborated with local safety personnel from the Wallkill Valley community. The following FBLA members assisted with the program: Scott Mueller, Michael Brick, Kali Radice, Michael McCurry, Julianna Alfonso, Dimitri Kochka-Thomas, Alyssa Preziosi, Paige Dunlap, Helen DeCoursey, Madison Hegarty, and Samantha McCurry.

The Wallkill Valley First Aid Squad, represented by Tori Yodice, John Friend, Jenn Friend, Desiree Dureny, Brian Gallagher, and Christina Brossman, described how students could become squad volunteers at an early age. The children were able to sit in an ambulance and understand the process of assisting people who needed to be transported to a hospital. Bill Walsh, Frank Lacatena, Stu Cohen, Gerry Holsczuh, and Tyler Conway from the Hardyston Fire Department emphasized home safety with a focus on house fire detectors.

The children learned about the “jaws of life” and walked through a fire engine. Detective Mike Masters led the Hardyston Police officers Lt. Robert Zicarelli, Sgt. Edward O’Rourke, and Ptlm. Alan Carberry in their presentation of stranger danger and how police officers assist in a variety of ways. The officers provided safety coloring books and safety bracelets for each child.

Under the supervision of the officers and McGruff, the children were able to “ring the siren” of the two police cars at the event. Detective Kieran McMorrow and Atlas from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office described the effectiveness of using the K-9 Unit as a patrol officer and detector of narcotics.

An Easter egg hunt was held after the four presentations. Refreshments were provided at the end of the program.