Police officers, paramedics and firefighters converged at the Gibsons fire hall on North Road Oct. 31 to celebrate Halloween and connect with children in the community. Children were invited to take a look inside ambulances and fire engines, gaze up at the giant blow-up pumpkin bobbing at the top of the fire department’s ladder truck, and of course, get their fill of Halloween candy. The event was also intended to demystify emergency services for children. “It takes fear away from the children when any of us show up on scene, that’s why I like to participate and why we try to get out in the community,” said Sheree Haydu, manager BC Emergency Health Services Metro Coast. Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department and BC Emergency Health Services have participated in the event for seven years and the RCMP joined two years ago. Haydu said this year was successful, but she hopes that next year she’ll see more mini paramedics. “There were numerous mini firefighters, one mini police officer, but no medics, so we’ll have to work on that,” she said with a laugh.
