The Polk Township Vol. Fire Co. knows that kids are fascinated with fire trucks. Taking advantage of that, the fire company uses it to help them deliver the message of the importance of fire safety.

Lt. Christian Lenway of Polk VFC is the chairman of its Fire Prevention Program and coordinator of the event."We organize an annual program with the West End VFC at the Pleasant Valley School District elementary schools. Last week was Fire Prevention Week. We took fire trucks to the elementary schools and we spoke to 1,100 K-2nd grade students. We talked to them about smoke detectors use and how important it is to check their batteries. We told them to develop an escape plan with their parents. We handed out flyers about today's event, inviting all K-7th grade students and their families to come. Today is a culmination of those visits," said Lenway on Sunday.Matt Schessler, president of the fire company said they invite the kids and their parents to come see what their local fire company has and can do when there is an emergency in their community."We demonstrate how the Jaws of Life are used, explain what the various fire trucks and the equipment can do and we even have a medi-vac helicopter from Penn Star coming in. We are in the fire-fighting business and we want them to know we're more than fund-raising and a monthly breakfast," said Schessler.Besides being able to view the fire trucks up close and personal and talking to the firemen and women, the medi-vac helicopter was a big hit with the kids but so was the Fire Safety House, with smoke billowing out, thanks to the Albrightsville VFC.Another favorite was Patches in the Pumper, a remote control fire truck with a talking Dalmatian fire dog, Patches.Inside the firehouse, there were various local organizations with displays, like the West End Ambulance, Monroe County 9-1-1 center, Polk Township supervisors, Vector Control and Recycling center.Proudly on display were the two plaques Polk earned at the Lookout Fire Co. #1's 75th Annual Labor Day Parade held in Pen Argyl. Polk VFC earned 2nd Best Appearing Special Serive award and the Best Appearing Tanker award."Today is a community outreach to let people know what their fire company can do for them," said Lenway.The Polk Township Vol. Fire Company is located on Rt. 209 on Kresgeville.