HANCOCK COUNTY — It was hard to miss, the massive SWAT truck decked out with protective armor, monster wheels and a bunch of tough guys dressed in combat gear holding raised weapons rolling around the Hancock County Fairgrounds.
There was also the four-legged K-9 officer who sprang into action and pulled a bad guy from the back seat of a car during a safety demonstration.
The Hancock County Joint Tactical SWAT team was just one of many first-responder units on hand Tuesday evening for the annual Hancock County Community Night. The free event is designed to let area residents get to know and show how the police, fire and other emergency responders do their jobs.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
“Twenty years of SWAT, I sure miss doing that stuff,” Sheriff Brad Burkhart said with a smile.
Burkhart loved seeing all the community partners coming together working to show area residents how much they care and enjoy protecting the county.
Jeff Rasche, chief of the Greenfield Police Department, felt the same way.
“This is somebody else’s vision that I wish I would have come up with,” Rasche said.
Several dozen vendors set up booths, including representatives of the Healthy365 campaign promoting health, happiness and wholeness in Hancock County.
“People who come out for this get to see things they don’t normally get to see,” Rasche said.
Not only did community members get to watch real demonstrations from law enforcement and fire officials, but there was plenty of food, and families had the chance to register for free giveaways and get backpacks. Each vendor then gave away some type of school supply like a folder or pencil for children who are heading back to school this week.
After hearing about the event the past few years, Tabatha Harper, Greenfield, brought her three kids and her niece to the gathering and was glad she did.
“I’m actually surprised by the resources that I see here for children,” Harper said. “They’re promoting life skills and safety through a lot of ways kids normally wouldn’t be interested in.”
She liked seeing the community mixing and mingling, promoting good community relationships with law enforcement and fire officials, who normally see people during their worst moments.
Corey Breese, public information officer with the Greenfield Fire Territory said the night is fun for first-responders, who enjoy giving back to the community.
“This community night is a chance for us to interact with people and not on their worst day,” Breese said.
For Breese it was about watching young and old alike coming approaching police officers and firefighters after the demonstrations, not being afraid or feeling like they’re off limits.
Beth Gulley, Sugar Creek Township Fire Department life safety and education instructor, used the night to spread safety information talking to parents about how to make sure they have a home safety plan. She also stressed the importance of having smoke detectors at home.
Hancock Health was the event sponsor. Brian Lott, fire investigator for the Greenfield Fire Territory; and Ted York, from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, organized the event. York was the one who three years ago thought it would be a good idea for all the first-responder units in the county to come together for one big night of interaction.
“This has grown tremendously after starting with just three departments originally,” York told the crowd during opening ceremonies.
Organizers estimate 6,000 to 7,000 people visited the event, which could not have happened without the support of the sponsors, they said.
Contributors to the event included Smithfield Foods; BBQ’n Fools; the Hancock County 4H Board; and Hancock Health.
“The committee appreciates all of the support from all of the not-for-profits and businesses in Greenfield to help make the event successful,” Lott said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Hancock County Community Night particpants:
Fire Departments: Charlottesville, Greenfield Fire Territory, Buck Creek Township, Sugar Creek Township, Fountaintown, Green Township, McCordsville
Police Departments: Greenfield, Hancock County Sheriff, Fortville, New Palestine, Shirley, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
[sc:pullout-text-end]
