HIS Kids Christian School introduces students to first responders
JEFFERSON TWP — The message at HIS Kids Christian School’s first responders lunch was while firefighters, paramedics and police face constant danger, they are still another friendly face that’s part of the community.
They’re one of us, said fifth grade teacher Jennifer Dimit, and children shouldn’t be afraid when first responders show up to help.
“There’s so much fear nowadays. It’s important to get them in front of the students and show that they’re here to protect and that they’re ordinary people who are also part of our community,” Dimit said.
HIS Kids Christian School held its annual first responders luncheon Thursday, Feb. 19, to show appreciation for employees of emergency services across Butler County.
It’s an important event, Dimit said, because the younger students may associate a firefighter or a paramedic with something scary.
“We want the kids to know that the first responders are not just somebody that they see over in that fancy car or truck. We want these students to know that they truly are their friends. That they are truly regular people, just like all of us,” Dimit said. “We want to make sure the students go up to them, that they’re not scared of them. We want to make sure these students realize they’re all trustworthy people.”
Dimit, one of the main organizers of the event, said it was first held seven years ago and the amount of first responders in attendance varies depending on whether they’re actively responding to emergencies that day.
State troopers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and paramedics showed up to meet the roughly 40 elementary-age students of HIS Kids Christian School and tell them about their jobs and lives.
“You may get a paycheck from our county, but you get a paycheck from God, because you have answered a call of duty that so many others would never be able to answer,” Dimit told the first responders.
In addition to praying for their safety, the students sang a song to the first responders called “You are our heroes.”
“It’s important when we’re around the kids all the time. It’s important for them to see us, so they’re not afraid. They don’t have to worry, so they know that we’re here for them,” said Aaron Natali, an operations supervisor for Butler Ambulance Service.
It could also inspire students interested in future careers, first responders said.
“We can teach them a lot, so it’s important for them not to fear, especially once they get into that emergency situation,” Crystal Pierce, of Butler Ambulance said. “You want to make sure they’re familiar with you outside of that emergency situation, so they know we’re trustworthy. So they can work with you should there ever be a situation.”
