There were ambulances, fire trucks and police cars at the Maywood Academy at Capital Region BOCES this week, but there were no emergencies. Rather, area first responders turned out in force to spread a vital message of safety among students with diverse needs.
Members of the Verdoy Volunteer Fire Department, Colonie Police Department and Colonie Emergency Medical Services (EMS) met with students and showcased their emergency equipment as they worked to soothe any concerns the students might have about emergency personnel.
BOCES Social Worker Christine Scherbyn said the purpose of the annual Community Helpers Day was to allow students to develop positive associations with first responders. This was especially crucial, she said, given a high rate of students who have been impacted in recent years by house fires.
Scherbyn also noted that students at Maywood Academy—which serves scholars with diverse needs in grades K-12, including students with autism and those who are medically fragile—have frequent interactions with emergency personnel, but rarely have the opportunity to do so when it is not an emergency.
“Our students often use ambulance services, so it was nice to inspect their vehicle when it wasn’t an emergency. And we have had several students lose their homes to fire, so it’s important to review stop, drop and roll, and how to call 911,” she said. “All of our students enjoyed meeting the service providers and taking a relaxed approach to building those connections.”
Maywood students, as well as those from BOCES public school programs participating in summer programming at the school, were able to sit in police, fire and medical vehicles, pet the Police K-9 officer and learn about first responders’ careers by asking questions about their work.
Representatives of the Fireman’s Association State of New York Museum of Firefighting in Hudson also provided educational materials that cater to students and adults with autism.
High school students in Teaching Assistant Teresa Totten’s class said their favorite part of the event was learning about the fire truck and how a fire hose gets connected to a fire hydrant. Totten works with students who receive support in Maywood’s Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACH) program. She stressed the importance of students like Maywood senior Andree Davis, who lives in the community, having positive interactions with first responders.
Maywood Academy Principal Gabriele Barbato agreed.
“Meeting first responders in an educational setting instead of during a crisis can help students feel more comfortable when they see a fire truck, EMS providers and other community helpers in their communities,” he said.
Scherbyn thanked School Resource Officer Matt Stott of the Colonie Police Department for leading this initiative at Capital Region BOCES Maywood.
“He’s been a tremendous asset to Maywood throughout his service with us, and his enthusiasm for this work has helped all of my students develop a sense of partnership with community policing,” she said.