(above) Firefighter Pete (Pietro Martino) fascinates 9 month old Nico at the Watchung Library.
Firefighter Pete’s Fire Safety & CPR, Story Times at Watchung Library
October is Fire Prevention Month. That’s why the Friends of the Watchung Library are pleased to bring “Firefighter Pete” (Pietro Martino), long-time Watchung resident and volunteer firefighter, to the library for a series of story times for children and Fire Safety/CPR training classes for teens and adults.
“Since 1989, I’ve done fire safety programs at Bayberry Elementary School, at Valley View Middle School and even at the Giving Nest Preschool,” Martino says. As Firefighter Pete, Martino has volunteered to offer story times to teach fire safety to children of different ages at the Watchung Library. Firefighter Pete is eager to bring his fire safety program to the library because there he will be able to raise the parents awareness level of safety while educating and entertaining the children.
In his story times, Firefighter Pete will read to children, delight the children with a demonstration of real firefighting gear, and give a free fire safety gift to each child. Story times are scheduled as follows:
Babies and Toddlers (up to 36 months) Tuesdays October 15 and October 22 at 10:30 a.m.;
Preschool (3-5 years ) Thursdays October 17 and November 14 at 4:00 p.m.;
Elementary (K through 4th grade) Tuesdays October 15 and October 29 at 4:00 p.m.
Please call to register: 908-458-8455
The Friends of the Watchung Library are also teaming with Martino to sponsor three two-hour CPR and fire safety training classes, to be taught by certified instructors. Classes for adults and teens aged 14 or older will be offered at the library: Saturday October 5 (9:30-11:30 a.m.), and Saturday October 12 (9:30-11:30 a.m.). Participants can earn the American Heart Association Friends and Family level certification. Because class size will be limited, preregistration is required. All of the material will be covered in each session, so please sign up for just one session by calling 908-754-8389 or emailing FirefighterPeteNJ@gmail.com.
(above) Firefighter Pete Martino and his firefighting wife Rosebud read stories to 2 year old Alessia, 4 year old Lucas, 5 year old Maximilian, 3 year old Owen, and 9 month old Nico.
