Marble Falls to host National Night Out
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
The year 2016 has been on full of community outreach to support first responders, but at National Night Out, local police, fire and emergency medical personnel cement their bridge to the community with pure fun.
Tuesday night, Oct. 4, is that night. From 5-7 p.m. Johnson Park in Marble Falls will be filled with a fleet of emergency vehicles, free food and goodie bags and events just for kids.
It is a night that makes a family event of meeting the first responders they might never see outside an emergency and to get a look inside a helicopter, ambulance or fire truck that inspires awe or excitement in the park but might be terrifying at an accident scene.
Youngsters can even get an idea of what might be going on at one of those scenes.
“The Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Service (MFEMS) will bring an ambulance to work with the fire department and AirEvac on a vehicle extrication and patient transport,” said Johnny M. Campbell, MFEMS executive director.
The Marble Falls Police Department will bring it's long, sleek command bus, a patrol car and Rescue 1, the heavy-weight high-water rescue vehicle, for people to explore. The Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF) will be set up to do vehicle identification number (VIN) etching.
Just for fun, MFPD will have a paintball area set up and Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers will bring their mobile “jail.”
First Assembly of God Church is bringing bouncy castles. First United Methodist Church is adding popcorn to the other free food that includes hot dogs. Kids can meet the iconic fire prevention representative Smokey the Bear and the 9-1-1 mascot Cell Phone Sally.
From Marble Falls Fire Rescue, the big ladder truck, Engine No. 1 and a brush truck will be there. Kids will get a chance to “put out a fire” when they visit the Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Department tender truck with its mobile water supply.
Everywhere, first responders will be getting to know members of the community, especially the children who are tomorrows citizens.
“The National Night Out gives us a chance to interact with our community outside the regular scope of business and is the perfect opportunity for folks to get out and meet their neighbors,” said MFPD Capt. Glenn Hanson. “As residents in this community, we owe it to each other to look out for one another and we can’t do that if we don’t know one another. So come on out and meet your neighbors, your first responders and enjoy a hot dog and soda on us!”
The park is located at 230 South Avenue J. The event is free, but everyone who brings non-perishable food donations can become part of first responder support of The Helping Center food bank.
