4-year-old Sebastian Devore made his way through the obstacle course tunnel during Public Safety Community Day held Wednesday evening at Uebelhor Toyota Field in Jasper.
Local police departments, fire departments, EMS, emergency response services, the Indiana National Guard, the Indiana DNR and more filled the field next to Uebelhor Toyota in Jasper Wednesday evening for the third annual Public Safety Community Day.
Organized by a team of volunteers, the annual event gives the public the opportunity to meet local security personnel, experiment with their equipment, watch demonstrations, grab free food and take part in a giant water balloon fight.
The goal is to put a human face to the men and women who respond to an emergency or experience the worst day of a person’s life, to create connections that lead to a safer community.
One mother explained that when her children were involved in an accident earlier this year, they were somewhat familiar with the emergency services and their equipment because they had participated in Community Day the previous year, so they were able to remain calm while the firefighters and police officers assisted them.
Here are some photos from this year’s annual event.
Gavin Greener, 6, of Jasper, battled his way through the hoops of the obstacle course Wednesday night. Jasper Police Officer Logan Jones timed each participant as he completed the course.
Evan Schmidt, 6, of Jasper, finishes the obstacle course while Officer Jones measures his performance on his phone. In addition to running through tires, under and over obstacles and through a tunnel, each participant must also finish the obstacle course by dragging a fire hose about 40 feet behind them.
Volunteer firefighters Evan Schum, Cody Kreilein and Greg Vonderheide of Jasper work to free firefighter Seth Eckstein from a vehicle during a demonstration Wednesday evening. The firefighters had to work against a real clock because the St. Vincent Statflight helicopter was about to arrive and they had to clear the field for landing.
After the windshield was punctured, firefighters cut the glass with a reciprocating saw.
Diego Hernandez, 4, and his brother Mateo Hernandez, 9, react as the Statflight helicopter lands on the field. According to his father, Santiago, Diego loves helicopters.
Flight nurse Steven Weber helped 4-year-old Trenton Katter out of the helicopter after he explored the cockpit. The crew and pilot took time to answer questions from the crowd while waiting to board and explore the helicopter.
Luis Palma helped his 20-month-old son Ezekiel with airsoft target shooting. Jasper Police use the airsoft guns for training, but set up a target stand during the event where visitors of all ages can try out the weapons.
The grand finale of the event is the annual water balloon fight between the children and police officers. In the photo, Jasper detective Greg Brescher catches several children reaching for balloons before the signal for the fun fight to begin. He didn’t tell them to put their hands up.
This year’s water balloon fight turned into more of a real test of strength, as the children threw balloons at every available target.
And then the fire department came… Firefighter Greg Vonderheide sprayed the children with water.
…until police regained control, Deputy Jesus Monarrez pursued Jasper firefighter Greg Vonderheide after taking the fire hose from him. Monarrez is also a volunteer firefighter.
Jasper officer and event organizer Clint Stewart, with the remainder of a water balloon attached to his head, and Jasper Detective Greg Brescher discuss the end of the water fun while being splashed by the Jasper Fire Department. Brescher was likely complaining about being hit by Huntingburg Police Chief Brad Kramer’s long-range water balloon rocket.
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