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Lower Macungie Township firefighters visits Lower Macungie Library

Published July 31. 2025 08:54AM
by Lisa Draper Special to The Press

The Lower Macungie Fire Department brought their fire engine to the Lower Macungie Township Library July 19.

Rain showers forced the families indoors for the readings and held out for families to walk around and inside the truck afterward.

More than 50 children and their families attended the morning event.

Youth Services Director Julia Brennan organized the event. Brennan said the last event was rained out so she was glad to see the July 19 event could be held.

Inside the library classroom, Joe Thompson and his son Sean, along with Gavin Heffner, took turns reading children’s books and asking the children questions about fire safety.

An incoming freshman at Emmaus High School, Sean Thompson is not yet old enough to serve as a volunteer firefighter. However, he is participating in events like this to earn merit badges toward his Eagle Scout rank. Sean comes from a line of firefighters as his grandfather and great-grandfather served in this field.

Emmaus High School recent graduate Gavin Heffner serves as a volunteer firefighter. He will attend Northampton County Community College in the the fall and serve with the Nancy Run Fire Department.

Joe Thompson serves as the president of the Lower Macungie Fire Department and enjoys taking the engine throughout the community to help educate others on fire safety.

Being able to share these experiences with his son is something Joe Thompson takes pride in coming from a family of firefighters.

The elder Thompson shared when the children see the truck one of the first things they notice is the size of the tires.

Abbey Lunning’s son Bennett, of Lower Macungie Township, made sure he got to see the truck by going through it more than one time. Lunning shared her son “loves trucks.” Bennett was all smiles as he checked out the various sections of Engine No. 80.

Brenda Pensyl, of Zionsville, brought her daughter Stacey Buono and her granddaughter, Emory who were visiting from Boston. Emory enjoyed climbing into the engine with her mom to check out the engine up close. Pensyl tried to get her granddaughter to try on the firefighter’s boots which were clearly huge for the little girl who laughed at her Mom Mom’s suggestion.

All the families and children appreciated the event. Many of the children checked out books about fire engines from the library.

The next fire engine reading and visit will be on a Tuesday in August. Those interested can check the library’s webpage for further information.

Press Photo by Lisa DraperABOVE: Sean Thompson, Joe Thompson and Gavin Heffner spend the morning reading books about fire engines to the children and then allowed families to check out the engine up close at the Lower Macungie Township library event July 19.
Families and fire truck fans line up to check out the fire engine at Lower Macungie Township Library.
Dad Tim and his son Finn, of Lower Macungie Township, are excited to check out the inside of a Lower Macungie Township Fire Department fire engine.
Lower Macungie Fire Department President Joe Thompson reads to the children and asks them questions about fire safety.
Abbey Lunning and her son Bennett, of Lower Macungie Township, are all smiles while seeing the fire engine up close.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LISA DRAPERJaxson, Mila and Bennett Facchiano, of Lower Macungie Township, check out the fire truck and gear.
Emory and Stacey Buono, of Boston, Mass., are visiting family member Brenda Pensyl, of Zionsville, when they take the opportunity to tour the fire truck at Lower Macungie Library July 19.