|
Saturday, September 13, there was a
first responders meet and greet at the Atlanta Ball field.
As the event began, members of Air
Evac Lifeteam 182 from Macon County, Illinois flew their helicopter
into the middle of the ball diamond. Team members who flew in were
pilot Phil Hettich, paramedic J.D. Peasley and flight nurse Heidi
Gould.
Children and parents were able to climb in the helicopter and look
around. Air Evac Lifeteam 182 is based in Decatur. The team mostly
flies to the hospitals in Decatur, Springfield and sometimes
Lincoln. There are also bases in Jacksonville, Macomb and Effingham.
Team members said there are 50 Air Evac bases. Each base has several
employees, including four pilots, four medics and four flight
nurses. Hettich said pilots do twelve hour shifts seven days one
week and then have the next week off. The paramedics and nurses do a
24 hour shift before having the next day off.
[to top of second column] |
Just outside the
ball diamond were an Atlanta rescue squad ambulance, an Atlanta
rescue squad truck, two Atlanta fire trucks and one police
vehicle. Kids were able to climb in each of the vehicles and
explore them. From time to time, the first responders would turn
on their sirens.
Equipment on the ground allowed
people to see the tools firefighters use in emergency situations.
The Atlanta
Fire Department helps kids cool down during the Fall Festival -
Video
The firefighters also had their hoses hooked up. The heat of the day
made it a perfect time for them to spray water as kids gleefully ran
through it. A few kids even helped hold the hose as did one of the
policemen.
Families seemed to enjoy meeting
the first responders and learning about the important work they do.
[Angela Reiners]
 |
