Be Prepared at the Park

In the last two months I have had to call 911 twice.  Thankfully, both times were not for my family. 

The first time was when a friend called me because she was in incredible pain.  When I got to her house she was barely conscious from an intense migrane.  The ambulance attendants were so amazing.  They arrived at her house in just a few minutes and they were so good to her and to all four kids. 

The second time was a few Friday nights ago.  I was getting ready for bed (Matt wasn't home) and I heard what I thought were about 10 gun shots.  The police were there in minutes and I was so thankful.  I never found out what happened.  But the sargent called me a couple of times.  I was the third person to call it in and they had the police helicopter and K9 dogs out in abut 7-10 minutes. 

I am so incredibly thankful for the emergency response people in our city.  Every day and night they put their lives on the line to keep us safe.  They respond as fast as they can and they work hard for us. 

When I heard that the City of Edmonton were having a "Be Prepared at the Park" day, I knew we had to go.  It was at Hawrelark Park on a Saturday that just happened to be beautiful in regards to the weather.  All of the emergency vehicles (fire trucks, command centre trucks, decontamination trucks, ambulances, multiple casulties buses, police cars, remote control bomb detinators, Police helicopter, Stars Air Ambulance Helicopter, the K9 dogs, rescue dogs, diggers from Epcor, rescue boats, a police tank etc. etc. etc) were all there for the kids to see and climb in and for the parents to ask all the questions they could. 

It was really well done and we sure enjoyed it. 

Lucas driving a firetruck.

The kids climbing into one of the numerous fire trucks that they had for us to see.

The kids "in command" at the Command Control Centre truck.

Lucas driving a Police Car.  The policeman tried to get Alyssa to ride in the back of the police car but she wanted nothing to do with that. 

In front of the news helicopter

The police helicopter

The Stars Air Ambulance Helicopter

The Epcor diggers.  Lucas found the horn.....and wouldn't stop honking the horn.  What a guy!!!!

In the Ambulance.  Both kids wanted nothing to do with laying on the stretcher.

In the police tank

We ended the morning by having our first picnic lunch of the year.  It was a fun, memorable day and we are looking forward to it next year. 

Oh and I should mention that Alyssa was so brave and even petted a few of the rescue dogs.  I was so proud of her.  She has a real, intense fear of dogs; but, she is coming so far in fighting her fear.  Last year we wouldn't have even gotten her close to any dog.  She would have been in my arms with tears running down her face.  But, this year she was still very hesitant but was definately fighting her fear.