First responders have their day
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 1, 2016 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
People get a closer look at the Wayne County sheriff's helicopter Saturday during a first responder appreciation day organized by local churches at the Wayne Regional Fairgrounds. The event, open to first responders and their families, featured blow-up slides, displays of local first responder vehicles, music and a meal prepared in the Disaster Relief USA mobile feeding kitchen.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Colt Bigham, 5, left, and Richard Brown, 9, get a closer look at the Wayne County sheriff's helicopter Saturday.
The men and women who show up at the worst possible moments -- emergencies, natural disasters and other crises -- were honored Saturday at what is hoped to become an annual event.
First Responders Appreciation Day was held at the Wayne County Agricultural Fairgrounds, with an array of family-type activities, including inflatables, food and entertainment.
This was the first time for the event, the efforts of area churches and businesses, said Sheriff Larry Pierce.
Agencies represented and acknowledged for their contributions to the community included Red Cross, National Guard, EMTs, fire departments and law enforcement and the Salvation Army.
"It's just a day of celebration -- displays from the Sheriff's Office and helicopter, SWAT team, local fire departments brought their fire trucks," Pierce said. "The Bridge Church set up water and popcorn, the Salvation Army had a lemonade stand and a medical station was on display."
Disaster Relief USA, or DRUSA, did all the cooking for the event, even for those who did not have the day off.
"They actually delivered plates downtown to the local fire departments and EMS," the sheriff said.
Ultimately, it was an opportunity to do something in return for all first responders do on a daily basis.
"Having a family day, not to take them away from their families any more than they already are," Pierce said.
The event also served as a sneak peak at the Bridge of Hope, a project being launched by Jimmy Bryant, outreach pastor of The Bridge Church.
The large mobile unit will help provide medical services to the community, Bryant explained.
"In June we'll be rolling out the program," he said. "We'll have about 70 or 80 volunteers who will do medical services for our community, in the event of a disaster."
Maj. Fane Greenfield, manning one of the Sheriff's Office booths, said it was not all work for him and his staff.
"We have done work but we have enjoyed ourselves," he said. "It's been fun and I think it will be a little bigger turnout next year."
At the booth, which featured a jail cell, Greenfield said he hopes it provided a good object lesson.
"We have had a lot of the kids and family members come through and explained what a jail cell looks like," he said. "We hope it's a good prevention and will stop them from ever wanting to go there."
Lt. Sherrie Stokes, corps officer with the Salvation Army, just moved to the area last June. She said the gathering provided a good introduction to the other agencies.
"Putting faces with names, making connections," she said. "No organization can do it all on their own. It's all about partnerships."
For the inaugural event, both men agreed it was a good turnout, with an attendance of about 100.
"It's been very good," the sheriff said. "We were afraid that the rain was going to come in and we were competing with some other events."
"I think we have had great results for the first time," Bryant said. "We put it together. We just wanted to say 'thanks,' just real simple.
"I think the community won today. It's just been a win."