(Photos by Emily Baierl)
Residents packed McVicker Canyon Park Aug.4 for National Night Out, a free community event hosted by the City of Lake Elsinore, the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, the City of Wildomar and the City of Canyon Lake.
The annual event gave residents an opportunity to meet and talk with first responders in a casual setting while learning more about public safety.
“We’re here just to show the cities, all three of the cities, we’re here for them for one and we’re here to collaborate with the citizens,” Deputy Tony Grisso of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station said. “We would like for them to be able to come up and talk to us as normal people. We like to have good communication with the city and the citizens.”
Emergency vehicles were on display throughout the park, including Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles, motorcycles, a patrol boat and a fire engine. Families explored the vehicles and posed for photos while interacting with first responders.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse also made an appearance and greeted attendees. Sheriff’s personnel displayed specialized equipment, including ballistic shields, for residents to see up close.
Firefighters invited residents to climb into the driver’s seat of a fire engine and demonstrated firefighting equipment. Children, with assistance from firefighters, had the opportunity to operate a fire hose and spray water. The engine’s deck gun also sent a large stream of water across the park. Families ran through the water, which quickly became a popular activity and a way to cool down on the hot evening.
AMR Riverside County welcomed residents to peek inside an ambulance and see what it looks like during an emergency response. At their booth, families practiced hands-only CPR using training manikins.
“We’re going over hands-only CPR,” medical assistant Starr Ronspiez said. “It’s very important that the public knows the basic life support techniques, just to spread the word in case there’s anything that may be going wrong, so people are more aware of what to do and how to do it correctly.”
Ronspiez said community members can use hands-only CPR to make a difference before emergency crews arrive.
“When they try to do CPR, they are essentially helping us out so we can get there in order to fully take care of the person,” Ronspiez said.
She added that introducing children to these types of skills early can be beneficial.
“It’s important for younger people to know about this because their minds are kind of like sponges at the age and so they’re going to get a little bit more information,” she said. “It’s also good for them to know about it just so they have those skills set for later on in life. It can also spark up interest like ‘Oh maybe I do like the medical field. I did enjoy doing that.’”
Residents also lined up for rides on a mobile elevating work platform, provided by Madrid Laser Screed Rentals, which lifted participants high above the park before lowering them back to the ground.
Additional activities included bounce houses, a rock wall, a dunk tank and community resource booths. The Lake Elsinore Recreation Department also had a bubble station set up at their booth, where children were blowing bubbles and playing with bubble wands.
Lake Elsinore resident Lino, who attended with his family, said events like National Night Out help increase community awareness.
“We need to be aware of our surroundings and safety,” Lino said. “It’s important to show everybody what we have out here like the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department. We need these events to prepare the people and bring more awareness.”
Wildomar residents Karie Lewis and Brent Lewis attended the event with their children, who enjoyed the dunk tank and running through the fire hose water the most. They said these types of community events are fun and get them out of the house.
Bryan Lewis also appreciated seeing deputies outside of emergency situations.
“It’s good to see them around here,” he said. “They’re approachable.”
For Grisso, that connection is one of the biggest goals of National Night Out.
“We all love what we do,” Grisso said. “What that is, is helping the city and helping people in need. We like to get out here to explain it to people.”
