People who help us
Community helpers are people whose jobs help keep a community safe, healthy and running smoothly. You see many of them every day: at school, at the store, on the street and in your neighbourhood.
Without community helpers, there would be nobody to put out fires, deliver mail, teach children or pick up the garbage. Every helper’s job matters.
Keeping us safe
| Helper | What they do |
|---|---|
| Firefighter | puts out fires, rescues people and teaches fire safety |
| Police officer | helps keep order and helps people in trouble |
| Paramedic | gives medical care and drives the ambulance |
| Crossing guard | helps children cross the street safely |
| Lifeguard | watches swimmers and helps them if they’re in trouble |
Firefighters wear special gear to protect them from heat and smoke. If you ever see a firefighter in full gear, don’t be scared. They are there to help.
Keeping us healthy
- Doctors and nurses help us when we are sick or hurt.
- Dentists take care of our teeth.
- Pharmacists give people the medicine their doctors ask for.
- Veterinarians take care of sick or hurt animals.
Keeping things running
- Mail carriers deliver letters and packages.
- Garbage and recycling collectors take away trash so our streets stay clean.
- Bus drivers take people where they need to go.
- Construction workers build houses, roads and bridges.
- Farmers grow the food we eat.
- Grocery workers stock the shelves so we can buy food.
Helping us learn
- Teachers help children learn.
- A librarian helps people find books and information and often runs story times and clubs.
- Coaches teach sports and teamwork.
Tools of the job
Each helper uses special tools.
| Helper | Tools |
|---|---|
| Firefighter | hose, ladder, helmet, fire truck |
| Doctor | stethoscope, thermometer, bandages |
| Mail carrier | mailbag, truck, scanner |
| Dentist | mirror, toothbrush, X-ray |
| Farmer | tractor, seeds, watering hose |
In an emergency
An emergency is a dangerous situation where someone needs help right away, such as a fire, a bad accident or someone who can’t wake up.
In Canada and the United States, you call 9-1-1 in an emergency. A dispatcher will answer and ask questions. Stay calm and tell them:
- what is wrong
- where you are (your address)
- your name
Stay on the phone until they tell you it’s okay to hang up.
Only call 9-1-1 for real emergencies. It is never a game, because a pretend call could stop someone else from getting help.
Learn your address and a grown-up’s phone number by heart. Practise saying them.
Saying thank you
Community helpers work hard, sometimes in the middle of the night or in bad weather. You can thank them by:
- saying "thank you" to your bus driver or crossing guard
- drawing a card for your local fire station
- putting your garbage and recycling out the right way
Try it yourself
- Name three community helpers you saw this week.
- Pick a community helper and draw them with their tools.
- Practise saying your address and phone number.
- Act out a pretend 9-1-1 call with a grown-up (on a toy phone).
- What community helper would you like to be? Why?
Quick recap
- Community helpers keep us safe, healthy and learning.
- Firefighters, police officers and paramedics help in emergencies.
- Each helper uses special tools.
- Call 9-1-1 only for real emergencies, and know your address.
- Remember to thank the helpers in your community.