Chattanooga, TN (by Billie Wright) - The Chattanooga Fire Department started a program that puts firefighters inside the classroom, not only to teach fire safety but to read to the elementary kids. One of the department’s firefighters, Allen Green, sees just how important the Read to Succeed program really is.
“We know these kids are reading below grade level. Or having a hard time reading.”
But it’s not just about reading and fire safety, it's also about making connections in the community. Green says, "Some of them may have been in a fire before. Like, one kid started crying. And now I have to go into comforting mode."
Green shares that most visits to the schools are filled with laughter and sometimes silly questions. "The best part about doing the presentation...is the question and answer portion because we just get so many different questions. And we just laugh. The kids laugh. You know, it's a fun time altogether."
Green hopes the children they read to will not only gain reading skills but will know what to do if there's a fire in their home. Ultimately, Green knows it's more than just a book read to kids in a classroom.
“I say it’s not about me. I say my thing is seeing our community being empowered. So it makes me feel very purposeful when I get up every day and know I have a purpose.”
Hear Green share more about the hopes to expand the Read to Succeed program here: