Montgomery County Firefighters to Join Area Students in Annual Walk to School Day Events on October 3, 2012

Montgomery County, MD - - -  Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel will be joining students around the County to celebrate Walk to School Day to raise awareness and promote pedestrian safety. Thousands of students from schools in Montgomery County will be participating in this year’s event. Walk to School Day events raise awareness and create safer routes for walking and bicycling while emphasizing the importance of increasing physical activity among children and promoting pedestrian safety.

While many schools in the area will be participating in Walk to School programs, a number of local and elected officials will be joining students at Piney Branch Elementary School in Takoma Park and Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari and other national, state and local guests will join a group of Piney Branch Elementary students in Takoma Park, Md., on Wednesday morning as a part of Montgomery County's Walk to School Day celebration. Media are invited to join in the programs on Wednesday, October 3, 2012:

         Where: Piney Branch Elementary School
                       7510 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park

         Time:    8:45 a.m. – Walkers will meet at 7620 Maple Avenue       

                       9:05 a.m. – Walk along Maple Avenue to Piney Branch Elementary School

                       9:20 a.m. – School-wide assembly and award presentation


         Where:  Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School

                        1200 Swingingdale Drive, Silver Spring

         Time:     8:40 a.m. – Walkers will meet at the Good Hope Community Center

                        9:05 a.m. – Walk to Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School
                        9:25 a.m. -   School-wide assembly

Sponsors of this year’s event include Safe Kids Montgomery County, Federal Express, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Foundation for Safety and Education, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Montgomery County Police, Maryland Safe Routes Network, Maryland Highway Safety Office and Safe Routes to School National Partnership. Event will be held rain or shine. The assembly portion of the program will be moved indoors if the weather is inclement.   

Below was shot today, October 3rd, by Battalion Chief Charles Bailey as Station 24's crew participated in Walk to School Day at Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School.