Firefighters inspire love of books by reading to kids - East Idaho News
Education

Firefighters inspire love of books by reading to kids

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Capt. Rick Saunders reads several books to Mrs. Baum’s kindergarten class at Longfellow Elementary School on Monday.

IDAHO FALLS — Nearly 2,000 elementary students will hear stories read to them by firefighters with the Idaho Falls Fire Department this year.

It’s part of the annual Blazing a Trail to Reading program in Idaho Falls School District 91 and Bonneville Joint School District 93.

On Monday, Jan. 25, Capt. Rick Saunders spent the morning reading to students at Longfellow Elementary School.

“They are our biggest fans,” firefighter Aaron Cliburn said. “We enjoy coming out and reading to the children, when we are off duty.”

The program was originally started in 2007 by then Capt. Jeff Parsons, but he handed it off last year to Cliburn who now runs the program. The purpose of the program is to encourage reading among children and to get them excited about books.

Firefighters who participate in the program, do so when they are off duty to not disrupt the community. Firefighters read to both kindergarten and third grade classes in Districts 93 and 91.

“It’s a great program,” District 91 spokeswoman Margaret Wimborne said. “The firemen read to several classes and the kids enjoy it.”

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