Written By Olena Riznyk
LUCAN – The Lucan-Biddulph Fire Station opened its doors to some of its youngest visitors this month for a special storytime event organized in partnership with the Lucan Library. The program brought together firefighters, library staff, and dozens of local families for a fun and educational morning that blended reading, learning, and fire-safety awareness.
The idea came from Katy Evans, Branch Assistant at the Lucan Library, who said the event was part of a new effort to take storytime outside the library walls and into the community.
“We want kids to be exposed to important community helpers,” Evans said. “The firefighters were wonderful to work with and so welcoming. It’s great for children to meet them in a friendly setting, instead of only seeing them during emergencies.”
The program’s timing was deliberate. With Fire Prevention Week taking place across Ontario just days earlier, the library and fire department saw an opportunity to reinforce those lessons in a hands-on way. Children listened to stories about safety, toured the fire station, and explored the bright yellow trucks parked outside.
Interest in the event far exceeded expectations. “We had 21 children registered and many more on the wait list,” Evans said. “The feedback was so positive that we hope to run similar sessions in the spring with other community partners. It’s a great way to connect families to the people who serve them.”
For the firefighters, the day was equally meaningful. Training Officer Ryan Herbert said community visits are an important part of what the department does, whether through school programs, tours, or special requests.
“We try to do a lot of awareness and fire-prevention activities,” he explained. “We have 24 firefighters on staff here, and even though we’re volunteers, we’re on call 24/7. We also practice every Tuesday night to stay up to date on equipment and safety protocols.”
Herbert reminded families to make fire safety a household routine. “Everyone should have a home fire-escape plan, check their smoke detectors, and change the batteries at least once a year,” he said. “And if there’s ever an emergency—don’t hesitate to call 911. We’ll always respond and make sure everyone is safe.”
Fire Chief Ron DeBrouwer said he enjoys events like these because they give residents a chance to meet firefighters in a calm, positive setting. “Usually when people see us, it’s at a bad time,” he said. “This gives them a chance to ask questions, see what we do, and learn how the system works.”
