MARYSVILLE Its that time of year when the local police and firefighters put out the welcome mat to get locals to meet the people behind the badges and hoses during National Night Out, Aug. 7, in Comeford Park.
The free event is a chance for citizens to interact with emergency providers and to see just what the police and fire departments have under the hood. In past years firefighters have been absolutely rappelling, that is, they were performing a high wire act without a net, heck they didnt even have the wire.
The team of rescue workers scaled the water tower in Comeford Park, to the very top of the tank and then simulated the rescue of an unconscious worker. Folks watched in awe as a team of firefighters calmly slid down the ropes, at one point upside down, to free and lower the worker, played by MFD ace Todd Furness. Chad Hale looked like Spiderman as he hung from his heels to keep his hands free to help Furness.
The Marysville Police Department also put on the dog, as officer Shadow put the teeth in law enforcement, actually, the German Shepard put the teeth into law enforcer Mike Buell, during a demonstration of the departments canine unit. Those displays will happen again and the event will also offer a chance to meet the departments new top dog, Police Chief Rick Smith, who started in March.
National Night Out is our way of sharing with you the many crime prevention and personal safety programs that we offer, Smith said. Public safety personnel have put together an exciting open house this year that will be fun and educational for the whole family.
Various information booths will offer help preventing identity theft, and citizens can learn about block watch programs, get their pets licensed and sign their children up for Kidcare Identification kits. Police and fire mascots McGruff the Crime Dog and Sparky the Fire Dog will also be posing with kids, who can also straddle one of the MPDs new Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The free event starts runs from
6 – 8:30 p.m. at Comeford Park, 514 Delta Avenue. There will be train rides for children and food and refreshments will be sold by the Marysville Kiwanis. Get a free hot dog by bringing a can of food for the Marysville Food Bank. National Night Out is sponsored by Costco, Coca Cola, Target, Office Depot and Papa Johns Pizza.
For more information call Diana Vanderschel at the Marysville Police Department at 360-363-8350.