From fire hose demonstrations to the arrival of an AirMed helicopter, Riverton’s Public Safety Night in early August offered activities and displays to engage and educate residents of all ages. 

The annual event, held at Riverton City Park, drew hundreds of attendees to see the fire trucks and ambulance display, watch the K9 demonstration with K9 officer Atlas and his trainer Sgt. E.J. Estrada, talk with first responders from Unified Fire Authority and the Riverton Police Department and learn about emergency response and safe practices. 

“We’re members of the community and we are your fire department,” UFA Captain Ben Sharer from Fire Station 124 said. “We like to come out and get to know everybody, let people see what we’re capable of and then take the opportunity when we’re with the community to get a safety message out there and try to make everyone a little bit safer.”

Sharer said smoke alarms save lives, but wake the kids up because they often sleep through the noise. He also told parents to make sure kids know two ways out of each room and designate a central meeting place outside of the home in case of a fire. 

The event featured a UFA gear demonstration, a SWAT display, a drunk goggles activity, plus information booths for animal control and emergency preparedness. 

RPD Chief Shane Taylor said it’s important for the department to be transparent in what they do, and this event helps create communication between officers and residents. He said his number one safety tip would be common courtesy.

“Be considerate,” Taylor said. “I think common courtesy has kind of gone on the wayside. I think if we respect each other and treat everybody the way we’d like to be treated, I think it would resolve a lot of problems.”