On Saturday morning, Nov, 5, the Augusta Fire and Emergency Management Agency hosted the city’s 2022 Emergency Readiness Day at downtown Augusta Commons.
The Fire Department, Marshall’s Office, Red Cross and many more organizations spread information about the community’s local services and emergency responders.
Activities at the event included free child car seat installation, a fire engine tour, pet adoptions, free food and meet and greets with different first responders.
Through an inflatable the department’s Fire Safety House, families were also taught simple but important ways to prevent fires, and what procedures to follow if one breaks out in the home.
With the usage of smoke machines, a simulated fire was used to teach children to close doors, drop to the floor and beware of hot surfaces, such as door frames, before practicing their stop, drop and rolls to escape the smoke.
MORE: Photojournalism: North Augusta Fire
Fire Chief and EMA Director, Antonio Burden, said it is important for the community to connect with first responders and get vital information on fire safety prior to the holiday season.
“The busiest day of the year for us is Thanksgiving because people leave their cooking -pots and pans- unattended,” he said.
Burden said people should avoid leaving their cooking unsupervised; however, if they need to step away from the kitchen, he tells people to always take a cooking spoon or potholder to serve as a reminder of the food.
Burden said people are less likely to forget about checking on the food if they have a big spoon in their hand or belt loop. He also highly emphasizes the benefits of smoke alarms and checking them monthly.
“If you’re in need of one, give us a call. We’ll come out and we’ll do a home inspection. If you’re not able to install it, we’ll install it for you,” he said.
In addition to fire prevention and safety, Burden said the aim of the event is to further establish connections with members of the community.
To Burden, the event and his department is about community.
“The reason that the fire department exists is solely to enhance the lives of the citizens we serve,” he said. “That’s why we’re here.”
Red Cross volunteer Samantha Valentine said she often feels that people think of Red Cross as a distant and extreme emergency resource; however, the chapter in Augusta always makes sure they are ready to go and can offer support in any situation, big or small.
“People think we’re only here for natural disasters, but Red Cross is actually partnered with every organization out here today,” she said.
Participant Beverly Brown, an opioid public health analyst for the Georgia Department of Public Health, said her organization took part in the event because they wanted to spread more awareness about the local fentanyl crisis within Richmond County.
Brown said the numbers are “skyrocketing” and, in order for them to decrease, everyone has to play a part. She said she believes community outreach and education can play an impactful role in making a difference.
With experience as an EMT, Brown said she has seen firsthand the effects of fentanyl and has treated and even lost patients from it.
“The only way that we can start to tackle this problem is to let the community know that we’re out here, and we’re out here to help you guys,” she said. “There is a great need for it.”
MORE: Belvedere Fire Department host open house for National Fire Prevention Week
Volunteers from the Community Emergency Response Team and the Augusta Richmond County EMA Dive Team were also seen spreading information about their respective organizations.
Both contributed to the event because they often feel not many citizens within the county know about their services and efforts.
Known by some as those who find weapons, cars and bodies from the Savannah River, volunteers Chris Carter and Roland Layton from the dive team said they feel enormous peace when they are able to return a loved one’s remains and give a family closure.
“We all do it as a hobby and volunteer, it’s a great thing to be able to serve your community with that,” said Layton.
Throughout the event, Carter and Layton also promoted to families the importance of water safety and wearing floatation devices regardless of one’s ability to swim.
“If Michael Phelps went into the water unconscious, it doesn’t matter how many olympic gold medals he won – he’s still going to go down,” said Carter. “Wear personal floatation devices no matter your skill level.”
Shannon Sanchez. said people often mistake what CERT is, and do not realize it trains everyday people on how to respond and help in emergencies. After taking classes and earning her certification, Sanchez said she learned various important skills she would not have otherwise ever known.
Recounting how she learned to close wounds, put out fires and stop people from choking, Sanchez said she gained many unexpected, but useful skills that may one day be used to help others – should the need ever arise.
Sanchez believes a community emergency response team and getting to know those who work in the emergency field are important, because it develops an important aspect of respect and trust.
“Everybody has to come together in a community, especially under a crisis,” she said. “It takes a village.”
MORE: Old Engine Company 7 Firehouse could be sold
Along with the more traditional emergency resources, Augusta Animal Services also advertised their hand in helping make the community a better place.
Becky Rece from Augusta Animal Services, who showcased some of the shelter’s adoptable cats, said the local shelter provides many services that most are not aware of – such as animal complaints and taking care of lost pets or strays.
“They help everybody and nobody really pays attention to them … you might need them one day, and they are putting their life at risk to save you,” said attendee NuNu Gholson.
Mother of three, Gholson said she brought her kids to the event because she wanted them to learn about the vital organizations that take care of the community’s needs.
“When you need them, they are there and it’s a lot of prevention. If you follow a lot of the rules then you won’t have to need them; you won’t put your life or their life in danger,” she said.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
