Lewis County Fire District 2 Firefighter Hadly Blankenship helped his three boys – Oliver, Kayden and Noah – into a brush truck.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
NAPAVINE – First responders.
The people on the front lines and behind the scenes when emergencies arise and someone calls 911 for help.
Representatives from Lewis County public safety agencies and organizations spent yesterday under sunny skies in a sort of show-and-tell.
For kids, it included invitations to climb behind the wheels of fire trucks, the sheriff’s office’s 48,000 pound armored SWAT and rescue vehicle and even into a shiny black and white 1940 Ford patrol car.
“These are all the people you would see if there was a large scale disaster here,” Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza said as he motioned toward those with the booths and vehicles that formed a horseshoe in the parking lot alongside Interstate 5.
The event, called First Responders Day, was held outside Bethel Church of the Assemblies of God in Napavine.
Newaukum Valley Fire and Rescue, formerly known as Lewis County Fire District 5, had their extrication tools on display and hope next year to do an actual demonstration of cutting into a vehicle to get to the injured.
Lewis County Fire District 6 handed out plastic fire helmets and pencils reminding about the importance of smoke detectors. The state patrol gave out junior trooper sticker badges.
Among the demonstrations, were Sheriff’s Cmdr. Dusty Breen zapping a paper silhouette of a man with a Taser, and answering questions about how very thin wire and prongs make the connection when used.
The crowd got to watch a simulated police pursuit, complete with the “suspect” getting grabbed by a police dog after bailing out and running across a field.
Two search and rescue dogs, plus one in training, with the Lewis County-based Cascade Dogs were on hand.
Other participants included Human Response Network, the local Red Cross and the relatively new Lewis and Mason County Crime Victim Service Center. And more.
Lewis County Crime Stoppers was there to promote their program, and put together free ID kits for parents.
That was the first booth Leslie Hill of Toledo visited with her children, ages 6 and 4.
“I always get these updated every year,” Hill said, as she waited for photo identification cards, DNA swabs and fingerprints to take home.
Centralia Police Department’s SWAT team laid out the various tools of their work, including newer-style spike strips that would flatten a tire slowly if a suspect drove over it.
The four-hour event was winding down when a Life Flight helicopter and its three-person crew arrived from Longview.
“I’m pretty happy with the turnout,” organizer sheriff’s Sgt. Fred Wetzel said. He said he and other already have more ideas for next year.
A somewhat similar gathering is planned for Tuesday evening, with the Centralia Police Department’s National Night Out.
The department has traditionally participated in the nationwide annual community-police awareness-raising event by caravanning to various neighborhood Block Watch group gatherings.
This year, the department is inviting folks to come see them at Washington Park on Pearl Street from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Centralia police plan to offer opportunities to drive a golf cart wearing goggles that simulate drunk driving, and say there will be face painting, a balloon artist, a bounce house, live music and free hot dogs.
Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Dusty Breen demonstrates use of a Taser for attendees at First Responders Day in Napavine.
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