PENDLETON — Firefighters, nurses, therapists and police officers descended on Willis Hare Elementary School Friday afternoon in response to an emergency call from local educators. Their entreaty? Help us prepare our children for the 21st century workplace.

Todd Wetherington | Daily Herald During Friday’s Career Day presentations at Willis Hare Elementary, Bobby Bridgers of the Severn Volunteer Fire Department demonstrates the importance of his safety gear to a group of third grade students. Advertisement

Area businessmen and state political leaders joined the emergency personnel as they took part in the school’s second annual Career Day. Designed to expose students to individuals from a variety of professions, this year’s presentations focused on education and training and how it can help future career choices.

Farmer Joe Martin discussed the ins and outs of livestock maintenance with a group of first graders, who were eager to share their own stories. “It’s a lot of work taking care of farm animals. It takes up a lot of time,” he told the class. “My daddy has a tractor,” offered one student, “he drives it around the yard and mows the grass.”

“Yard work’s a whole lot worse than farming,” responded Martin.

On the third grade hall, Target Warehouse Manager Jeff Frye explained to a group of wide-eyed students the journey some of their most beloved items make on their way to the store. “About 80 percent of all our stuff comes from China,” he stated, describing shipping containers as big as classrooms and the 23-day journey they require to go from China to Norfolk, Va.

“You mean to tell me there’s a boat coming here from China right now?” asked one incredulous student. “That’s right,” added Frye, “From Asia, the Middle East, all over.”

When asked what education was required for his position, Frye told the class that after receiving a biology degree from East Carolina University, he spent several years in the Army before being hired by Target. “They were looking for leadership skills,” he stated, “someone who could organize a group.”

Frye was followed by Severn Volunteer Firefighter Bobby Bridgers, who brought along his turnout gear to demonstrate the importance of safety equipment and training to a fireman’s survival. “I can have all this gear on in 30 seconds,” he explained, as he pulled on his Kevlar hood.

Bridgers related several memorable fires to the crowd, including the recent blaze that destroyed a church just down the road from the school. Bridgers, who was the second firefighter to enter the church, said their thermal cameras registered the heat at 700 degrees Fahrenheit. “That’s almost twice the temperature you use to cook food,” he stated. “All this stuff I’m wearing allowed me to go in there and not get burnt.”

The firefighter explained that training was an integral part of survival in his profession. “Safety is what it’s all about.

The state requires 36 hours of training a year but we do about 100 to 125 hours. We train on everything from ladders, ropes, hazmat and rescue — you name it,” said Bridgers.

As the students passed around his fire helmet, many commented on its weight. “It may be heavy,” said Bridgers, “But that thing keeps me alive.”

In the schools auditorium, N.C. Rep. Michael Wray encouraged the students to take their future in their own hands. Said Wray: “The whole legislative process is yours. Everybody’s idea is important, one person can make a difference. Work together, stay in school; you can be anything you want to be.”

Following the presentations, the students spoke excitedly about their favorite speakers. “I liked the guy with the money counter,” said fourth-grader Damian Mitchell, while classmate Haley Farrow said she had decided on a new career path. “I want to be Mr. Michael Wray,” she said. “I like to learn about the state and the legislature and stuff. I’m really into social studies. I wonder how much money he makes?”

“I really liked the lady from the iron place,” said Christian Rawlings, referring to speaker Michelle Burgess, office manager of Northeast Recycling in Seaboard. “You can bring metal stuff in and you can get 20 cents a can. I like that.”

Willis Hare Principal Barbara Stephenson said the Career Day presentations were an “awesome success” and believes the event plays a crucial role in preparing students for life in the competitive world of the modern workforce.

“It’s very important that the students start setting goals and learning how to compete and also to start dreaming,” she stated.

Stephenson said the variety of jobs on display was also a bonus for the students. “This shows them that high school is not the end, they need to continue their education. The speakers really connected their career choices to learning in school and how that ties into their career. It’s great that they can be exposed to so many different professions so they can understand how many options are available to them.”