Story posted Thursday, June 11, 2009
First Responders Day Stresses Safety, Smarts
Sisters Keely McEnery, 8, and Samantha, 11, say "hi" to Chinese Crested dog "Ha Choo," owned by CERT volunteer Jeanne Leininger, during the May 30 safety day in Palatine. (Shawn Clisham/The Journal)
The parking lot of the Target store on Dundee Road in Palatine was filled with activity as the village held its first annual "First Responders Appreciation and Safety Day" on Saturday, May 30.
Even with cool weather and light rain, those in attendance were treated to an array of specialty vehicles from police, fire, public works and emergency management.
Attendees had an opportunity to visit a number of exhibits and displays and to meet with police and fire personnel from Palatine and other surrounding suburbs, representatives of Northwest Central Dispatch, Illinois State Police, Disaster Services Inc, Des Plaines EMA, Palatine Emergency Management/Citizen Corps and more.
Children who brought their bikes were put through a bicycle safety course. The attendance list included Palatine Mayor Schwantz, former Mayor Rita Mullins, Village Council members Scott Lamerand, Aaron Del Mar and Jack Wilson, Village Clerk Marg Duer and former and current Palatine Fire Chiefs Norm Malcolm and Bob Falardeau.
Special demonstrations were performed by police dogs "Elvis" and "Iggy" and their handlers highlighted the morning with displays of their drug-detection and search and rescue skills.
Tom Smith, Palatine Emergency Management coordinator said, "Visitors to the event were grateful to have an opportunity to personally meet with and thank representatives of the first responder groups that do so much to keep Palatine a safe place to live."
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