STERLING — The excitement in the air at Davis Farmland during the recent annual public safety event was palpable.
Kids of all ages explored two firetrucks and a police cruiser and got stickers and other trinkets from Animal Control Officer Kelly Jones on May 19 — all with big smiles on their faces.
“It’s all about the children,” said Fire Chief David Hurlbut, who gave out black plastic fire hats along with Firefighter/Paramedic Jim Emerton and other Sterling Fire Department crew members.
The farm was closed the day before due to rain. Sunday brought out large crowds, many of whom took advantage of the free admission for active firefighters, EMTs, police officers, armed service personnel, correctional officers, veterans, and their immediate family and spouses.
Officer Steve Mucci welcomed children to climb into his hybrid police cruiser and chatted with parents standing by.
Emerton said that “watching the faces of the kids as they sit and drive the fire trucks” was what he enjoyed most about the yearly family friendly occasion that provides the opportunity to interact with community members.
The public safety event is a nice change of pace for police and fire. The Sterling Fire Department posted on social media that March “was a busy month” — they responded to 153 calls and there were 29 instances of simultaneous calls.
