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05/31/2017 09:31 AMEver wonder about what emergency services volunteer do, and who keeps those services running? In an effort to educate the public as well as drum up some more volunteers, Essex is holding a Public Safety Day on Sunday, June 11.
“The Town of Essex, like most small towns in the area, is struggling with volunteers for the fire and ambulance [organizations]. The ambulance actually just went to paid staff during the day,” said Selectman Stacia Libby, one of the event’s organizers. “If we have to go to a fully paid Fire Department or ambulance service, it will be very expensive for the town. A lot of volunteers are aging out, and not many people come in. We want people to come out and learn about volunteer public safety, and all the ways this service can affect the town.
“People’s schedules are hard, everyone is spread so thin,” continued Libby. “The thought behind this is to get people hands-on experience with fire, ambulance, police, and emergency management.”
While some demonstrations such as the Lifestar helicopter will be subject to equipment availability, other emergency vehicles will be out for people to see. There will also be functioning displays such as CPR dummies and demonstrations, Jaws of Life extrication demonstrations, a quick-clot bandaging table, burn boxes, stove fires, a walking wounded demonstration, and a mobile command vehicle. The Lenny & Joe’s food truck will also be there, and will be donating 10 percent of its profits on the day to the Essex Fire Department and the Essex Ambulance Association. iCRV Radio will also cover the event.
“We want people to get physically engaged, if they are comfortable,” said Libby. “We want to make volunteering for public safety less intimidating and generate interest. We just want to draw people in and recruit more volunteers.”
Libby is a member of the Ambulance Association herself, on call one night a week.
“It’s my way of giving back as a working person. There are definitely ways to do the training and make it work, if you have an interest in it,” said Libby. “We need help at night.
“I was most intimidated to go on call, worried it would be all blood and gore,” said Libby. “The reality is that 90 percent of what we do is helping the elderly, helping people who are sick. There is also a genuine camaraderie and commitment between the volunteers. You work together and have each other’s backs. It’s a great experience just for that.”
Essex Public Safety Day is on Sunday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Essex Fire Headquarters (11 Saybrook Road). The rain date is Sunday, June 18.