DAPHNE — The Daphne Recreation Department’s annual Wet n’ Wild Wednesdays are more than a chance for children to cool down during the hot summer days of June.

Kids also have a chance to learn about fire safety.

Daphne Fire and Life Safety Educator Tom Bertagnolli Sr. has appeared at the event with one of the city’s fire trucks.

“I let the kids play on it and give them bubble gum and candy,” Bertagnolli said.

But on Wednesday the firefighter of 25 years did a little something extra.

“I turn the truck on and sprinkle them just to wash the grass off them,” he said.

Bertagnolli gets to enjoy the Wet n’ Wild Wednesdays during the summer, he said, but when schools are in session he teaches fire safety to children at Daphne schools.

“I teach fire safety to anybody from 2 to 102,” Bertagnolli said. “If they are old enough to know what I am talking about I teach it to them.”

Bertagnolli said he believes his work is important and beneficial.

“Kids don’t start fires in Daphne,” he said, adding that he believes that is a direct result of the fire safety program.

“This is a good program,” Bertagnolli said. “I have been involved with it for 25 years; first when I was a volunteer and now as a paid firefighter for 18 years.”

Bertagnolli and the fire truck will be back Wednesday, June 27 at W.O. Lott Park on Main Street for the final Wet n’ Wild Wednesday of the summer.

The event, sponsored by the Daphne Recreation Department, is held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, each Wednesday in June.