Young readers traded books for badges and fire gear as local first responders gave an interactive lesson on fire safety
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Volunteer firefighter Kelly Horaney helps children use a thermal imaging camera like the ones firefighters rely on during emergency calls.
Deputy Schneider demonstrates one of the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office drones during the hands-on safety program.
A small child checks out the driver's seat of a Timberline fire engine during a special storytime at the Gilpin County Public Library on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Lt. Josh Colgan explains how firefighters' gear and breathing equipment protect them during emergencies.
Firefighters walk children through a mock 911 call, explaining what dispatchers need to know and why it's important to stay on the line.
GILPIN COUNTY — The storytime hour at the Gilpin County Public Library on Wednesday morning wasn't from a book.
Instead, about 30 children gathered around a fire engine while Timberline Fire Protection District firefighters and members of the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office showed them what happens when someone calls 911. Parents watched from the shade while the kids peppered the first responders with questions.
Library Director Michael Carlson said the library has hosted the event several times over the years. This year, on July 22, 2026, instead of reading a story, the children got to see one unfold in front of them.
Firefighters started by pulling on all of their gear, explaining that the helmets, masks, and air tanks can look scary at first, especially to young children. They wanted everyone to know that if they ever see a firefighter dressed like that in an emergency, it's someone there to help. The kids also learned that the gear weighs about 60 pounds and watched firefighters race through the process of getting ready for a call.
Next came a mock 911 call. A firefighter put the dispatcher on speakerphone and walked the group through what happens after someone dials those three numbers. The lesson was simple: know your address, answer the questions, and don't hang up until the dispatcher tells you it's okay.
Deputy Schneider then sent one of the sheriff's office drones into the air. The children watched the live video feed and took turns looking through a thermal imaging camera like the ones firefighters use to find hot spots in wildfires or search for missing people.
By then, most of the kids had their eyes on the fire engine. They climbed into the cab, peeked inside compartments filled with hoses and rescue equipment, and asked about every button they could find. Firefighters happily answered every question.
It was a storytime where the heroes showed up in person and kids became the main characters.
