Greyson Worth, 3, of Butler tries out the horn on one of Butler Township's fire engines with his grandmother, Karen Jahn, as part of the township's National Night Out event Tuesday evening on Holland Drive.

The fire trucks were a hit with children Tuesday evening when Butler Township officials and the police and fire departments met with residents during a National Night Out event.

Township commissioners, employees and the police and fire departments came to Holland Drive to meet residents and let children check out the fire truck and police vehicles.

Members of the Butler Township Volunteer Fire District gave children fire helmets, and let them sit inside the trucks, activate the emergency lights and turn on the sirens.“The kids are always in the fire trucks blowing the horn and wearing helmets,” said Dave Zarnick, president of the township commissioners.He said he hopes some of the children will join the fire district when they grow up.Some of the residents who spoke with commissioners raised a few complaints and others complimented the commissioners for doing a good job, Zarnick said.“It's a nice night for neighbors to come outside and say hello,” he said.

Police Chief John Hays said it was nice to meet residents and their children in a nonemergency setting.“It's good to see, especially this year,” Hays said. “It's a good thing.”He said the adults were interested in the technology used in police vehicles, but the fire truck drew the children's interest.Commissioner James Lokhaiser Jr. said the fire department has ordered a new ladder truck to replace the 2001 model that was on display Tuesday. The new truck is expected to be in service next May or June, he said.

Karl Kobil of the Butler Township Volunteer Fire District shows Drake Wilson, 10, of Butler a heat imaging device at a community-oriented National Night Out event on Tuesday evening.

Police and fire officials from Butler Township host a National Night Out community event on Holland Drive on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.