'A Day in Their Boots' gives Dover kids a crash course in being a first responder

DOVER — Thursday marked the fifth annual “Day in Their Boots” at the Delaware State Fire School, giving local children the opportunity to learn what it is like to be a first responder.

Dover Police Athletic League coordinator Cpl. Anthony Smith said there were more than 250 kids in attendance this year.

“We always look forward to doing this event,” said Cpl. Smith. “It’s for our kids. Our kids, our youth, are the future, and we want to make sure that they know that we care about them and we care about their safety.”

It was organized by the Dover Police Athletic League in collaboration with the fire school, Dover Fire Department, Dover Air Force Base and others.

The participants were separated into groups as they rotated through seven stations, which included exercises such as putting out a vehicle fire with a real fire hose; carrying the hose down the stairs of the fire school’s training structure; going inside a fire safety training trailer; and seeing a paramedic helicopter up close and meeting its team

There were demonstrations sprinkled about too, like the Dover Police SWAT Team and K9 units.

Cpl. Smith says everything offered has a main purpose.

“The biggest thing is this is education,” he said. “They’re learning the importance of safety. You’re learning if you see smoke, or you see fire, go the other way and call for help, notify people around you. Let them know that there’s possible danger in the area.”

Staying comfortable and hydrated was a priority Every station had ice, water and tents to keep participants cool.

Cpl. Smith said work has already begun on next year’s event.

“We’ve come to collaborate, to say ‘How can we make this experience a better experience?’” he said.

“We’re already thinking about how to make 2025 even better.”

Staff writer Benjamin Rothstein
can be reached at brothstein@iniusa.org.
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