It wasn’t just a safety lesson, but also a chance for friendship, between kids and local firefighters, today at Delridge Library. From the Seattle Fire Department station next to the bridge, Station 36 personnel were on hand – to show off gear like what’s worn for Marine Rescue (above), and to demonstrate how it’s put on:

But even more than showing what they use to put out fires, they attempted to light a fire, if you will – reading aloud to their young audience:

The book, “No Dragons for Tea,” conveyed fire safety in a way meant to appeal to preschoolers, who are most at risk of injuries if fire breaks out. Fire Chief Gregory Dean (seen in our first clip) read to the kids, too:

This was the second of seven events citywide in which firefighters will visit Seattle Public Library branches to promote fire safety and literacy. And this event was preceded by an extra announcement regarding the latter – with a special appearance by Mayor Mike McGinn, visiting West Seattle for the fifth time in nine days:

He was there to talk about “Read and Rise,” to offer training to parents to help their kids meet the goal of literacy by third grade. It’s explained here.