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Fire-safety day offers kids much to explore
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
BOARDMAN
The smell of hot dogs and cotton candy filled the air, and children ran from police car to firetruck to helicopter.
Residents filled the parking lot and grassy areas surrounding the Boardman Township building on Market Street on Saturday for what the administration hopes will become an annual event.
Vehicles from the road, police and fire departments were available for people to see and kids to climb on. A medical-emergency helicopter, a hazardous- materials truck and the Mahoning County emergency management mobile command post also were at the event.
“We really have a good variety of things for kids to come and explore, along with the free hot dogs, pizza and pop,” said Jason Loree, township administrator and coordinator of the event. “Our vendors that contributed did a really good job for us. We’re really happy with the event the way it turned out.”
Michelle Bistarkey brought her truck-loving, 3-year-old, Derek, to the event. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that everything was free.
“I enjoy it,” she said. “I think it’s kind of neat. I’ve never seen the inside of a firetruck or anything like that. I’m curious about the mobile command unit.”
Derek had a chance to sit in a firetruck.
“I like firetrucks,” he said. He also enjoyed the police cars and said he might want to be a police officer for Halloween.
Amy Arquilla and her daughters attended the event after the girls received a flier from school.
“They have just enjoyed everything,” Arquilla said. “It’s really great. They get to see things that they don’t normally get to see. I know they’ve done the fire- rescue house at school before; they were familiar with that but nothing else.”
“It was fun,” 11-year-old Gabrielle said. Her favorite part was the helicopter.
Gianna, 8, liked the bounce-around best.
The pair shared some cotton candy while they waited to talk with a crime-scene officer.
Plastic hard hats, Silly Bandz and balloons were among the items children received for free.
The Friends of Boardman Township Police Levy committee used the event as a kickoff for its campaign.
“We want to let people know that there actually is a police levy on the ballot this November, that we want their support for it, because at this point in time, Boardman Township is chronically understaffed when it comes to our police department,” said Vince Bevacqua, levy-committee chairman.
The levy would provide $3.5 million dollars annually. The funds would strictly be used by the police department, with the intent to hire additional police officers, Bevacqua said.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Amy Arquilla said. “Any time we can improve the community, I think it’s a good thing. Boardman’s such a good place to live; I’m always for it — whether it’s the schools, the township — I’m all for it.”