02-March-2015 – Patches Reads for Dr. Seuss’ Birthday

Patches and Deputy Chief Greene read the Dr. Seuss classic, “The Cat in the Hat” to students at Forest Hills Elementary School and Colleton Prep Academy Wednesday morning 02-March. The event was held to celebrate the author, Theodor Seuss Geisel’s birthday and to encourage reading. Geisel was a poet, writer and cartoonist, who wrote many children’s books under the name Dr. Seuss.  Personnel arrived at 08:30 to set up the large room for the 09:00 program. Fire-Rescue presented to the entire second grades in the auditorium, projecting the “Cat in the Hat” on a large screen. Close to 300 students and teachers were in attendance. Deputy Chief David Greene began reading the story and was then assisted by Patches, the Fire-Rescue robotic fire dog, operated by Fire Marshals Richard Sheffield and Mikey Banks. The two took turns reading to the children and then conducted a Fire Safety discussion at the end of the reading. Firefighter-EMT Justin Benton read a different story to a third grade class. Crews from Engine 26 and Medic 26 also assisted. After the reading session was completed, the group packed up and headed over to Colleton Prep Academy and presented the same program to the K4 to third grades. The children enjoyed interacting with Patches. Crews from Engine 19 and Medic 19 assisted at Colleton Prep.