A public safety show-and-tell

Ben Godar

They came for the fun, but hundreds who attended the Fire Service Day

and National Police Week celebration also got a chance to learn about

public safety.

Orange Grove Avenue and Third Street were closed for a block

around Police and Fire Headquarters on Saturday as children, parents

and other community members soaked in the sunshine while being

treated to safety presentations.

Burbank resident David Silag said he and his two sons were just

out to have a good time.

“They really like the characters and all the big equipment,” Silag

said of his boys.

The Burbank Police and Fire departments were the largest

exhibitors at the annual event, but other public safety-related

agencies also were in attendance to greet the crowd.

Several rescue vehicles were on display, ranging from new and

vintage fire engines to a police helicopter.

A horse from the police mounted unit and the department’s K-9s

were also out for show-and-tell.

Fire crews drew large crowds to demonstrations in the parking lot

behind the headquarters, which included removing someone from a car

with the Jaws of Life and rappeling from a 100-foot ladder.

Throughout the day, dozens of children waited inside the open

parking bay of Fire Station 11 to have their photos taken with a Walt

Disney character. Many kids also sported red plastic fire helmets

that were given away as souvenirs.

Deputy Police Chief Larry Koch said the celebration gives police

an opportunity to meet citizens at a time when they are not victims

or perpetrators of crimes.

“In police work, some of our contact with people is not at the

best times,” he said. “This gives us a chance to have a lot of

positive contact.”