North Augusta’s Public Safety Department hosted the city’s 22nd annual Touch-a-Truck event on Saturday, May 11, at Victory Baptist Church to showcase a variety of safety vehicles to families.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., children of all ages were able to explore large vehicles, including: ambulances, fire trucks, a garbage truck, tow trucks, boats and more.
For children needing a more sensory-friendly experience, the first hour was dedicated to creating a quieter and less stimulating environment to welcome everyone.
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With over 20 different vehicles, attendees said they were thrilled to see so many local departments join in on the community event.
Will Medlin, a conservation officer from South Carolina’s Wildlife Federation, said his favorite part of participating in Touch-a-Truck had to be seeing so many children’s smiles.
“We like for people to know what we do, so they know who we are when they come across us,” he said. “It’s fun to see these kids having fun.”
Representing Edgefield County’s Police Department, Chief Deputy Maj. Jason Ramey said his fellow officers wanted to highlight South Carolina’s cooperation between different departments and cities.
“We always like to give back to the community and we have a good working relationship with North Augusta,” he said. “North Augusta stretches into Edgefield County in places, and some of the city’s citizens are our own and a lot of the people who work in North Augusta live in Edgefield County.”
Ramsey said Touch-a-Truck also encouraged children to investigate career options in public service, while exposing them to vehicles they might otherwise find frightening.
“It’s good for them to interact with our local professionals in any capacity and see the things they wouldn’t normally get to,” he said. “I just hope they have a good time and maybe one day they’ll want to go into one of the professions they see here today to contribute to their community.”
Through displaying bigger safety vehicles, such as a SWAT truck and other armored vehicles, Ramsey said the community gathering at the event also had the potential to increase a feeling of safety within the CSRA.
“We have these for our safety and the safety of our community but, hopefully, we’ll never have to need one of these,” he said.
Will Medlin, a conservation officer from South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources, said his favorite part of participating in Touch-a-Truck had to be seeing so many children’s smiles.
“We like for people to know what we do, so they know who we are when they come across us,” he said. “It’s fun to see these kids having fun … it’s about making sure that everyone is being safe while having fun.”
Among various participating fire stations and police departments, several businesses also participated in this year’s exploratory event.
Firefighter Jay Womack from Meriwether, located in South Carolina’s McCormick County, said he believed Touch-a-Truck was a significant annual event because of its ability to connect people of different professions, who might one day need help.
“All kids like fire trucks. They want to sit on them and touch them,” he said. “But we also don’t want them to be scared of us, so that’s why we try to familiarize them with us a little more.”
To mother Anna Dukes, the event gave her two sons a chance to see things from a different perspective.
“With me having boys, these are like life-sized versions of toys that they already play with at home,” she said. “I also just love that they are getting the opportunity to interact with different public safety personnel.”
Fellow parent and attendee Lance Durden said he brought his daughter because of her fanatic love for fire trucks whenever she sees one pass by.
“She always makes a big deal. She’s very obsessed with fire trucks,” he said. “Also, seeing these trucks just makes them feel more safe too … they need to know that they are good people who are here to help us.”
Appreciative of local first responders and other supportive city staff, Durden said he believed it is important for the community to meet and develop relationships with those who risk their lives everyday for their neighbors.
“It’s a cushion of safety knowing that they’re actually out here doing these events for people to make us feel safe,” he said.
North Augusta’s Public Safety Department is also inviting the community to join in on a charity softball tournament against the Augusta Metro Senior Softball League on May 31 at 5 p.m. in Riverview Park, located at 100 Riverview Park Drive, North Augusta, S.C.
All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the RECing Crew, an organization dedicated to providing recreational opportunities for those living with disabilities.
To find out more about the event, visit: https://www.facebook.com/NAPublicSafety/
