Worrell Street on Pope’s Hill was blocked off to traffic last Friday afternoon for the third annual First Responders Appreciation Day, organized by the Richard J. Murphy School. This year’s guests featured two special guest speakers: Boston Police Department’s Chief William Gross and Commissioner William B. Evans, who spoke on the importance of academics and safety. Other guests included the MBTA Transit Police, who brought their motorcycles, the BPD’s K-9 Unit and Bomb Squad, Boston Fire Department, who brought their ladder truck and engine company from Neponset Avenue. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department handed out badges and “deputized” the students and Park Rangers brought their horse, Winston, who is always a big hit with the students. The city’s Emergency Medical Services workers handed out goodie bags for the kids.

“This year we had our student volunteers compete against the Boston Fire Fighters in a bunker gear race to see who could get dressed the fastest,” said Michael Crowley, field coordinator for the Murphy School. “Our students could not compete with Boston’s bravest. Students also were able to go into all vehicles, spend time with Winston- the park ranger horse, see a K9 demonstration, touch/try on gear and enjoy the BPD ice cream truck!” said Crowley. “The general message is you never have to look beyond your own neighborhood to find a superhero. The men and women who serve our community are committed, dedicated and do so much for us every day.

Getting to know these professionals on a more personal basis, their tools of the trade and the faces behind the sirens will hopefully become a point of familiarity and ease, if ever our students find themselves needing their services in an already stressful emergency situation,” added Crowley.