The Third Annual Public Safety Fair took place in Lowe’s parking lot in North Warren on Saturday. Numerous groups, organizations, and emergency personnel offered valuable information to those who attended and held demonstrations of emergency services.

County Commissioner Ben Kafferlin was in attendance and said he was “very pleased with the turnout.” The event had safety-related demonstrations and information for people of all ages.

Many of the younger attendees made sure to chat with their favorite mascots including Wally Wiseguy and McGruff the Crime Dog. As one young boy got done having his photo taken with Wiseguy, he noticed McGruff sitting on a nearby vehicle. “I like your four-wheeler,” the boy shouted to McGruff. McGruff lifted one hand to give the boy a “thumbs up.”

Behind McGruff’s four-wheeler, some other youngsters tried out their fire-fighting skills. Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department helped children use the fire hose to aim at and knockdown fire-resembling targets.

Times Observer Photos by Lorri Drumm The STAT Medevac helicopter got lots of attention both as it landed and on the ground.

Volunteers helped the youngsters control the hose to prevent a crowd-soaker. Anna Hagberg, 6, hit each target. Pretty impressive, considering it was her first time holding a fire hose. Hagberg didn’t say much except it was “fun” and she wanted to get back in line to do it again.

People of all ages also got the opportunity to get up close to emergency vehicles and personnel they might not typically encounter. The STAT Medevac helicopter paused some nearby soccer games as it flew in for a landing. Once it landed, the line of people waiting to get a look inside was continuous.

K-9 Dina, with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, welcomed the attention of lots of dog-lovers during the event. Dina also demonstrated her skills during the event.

A sizable crowd gathered early in the event to witness a situation nobody wants to encounter, but realistically could. Emergency crews including Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department and Emergycare demonstrated the process of extracting individuals trapped in a vehicle crash. Each step in the process was narrated as crews removed the vehicle’s roof and windshield and loaded “patients” on stretchers.

Between demonstrations visitors took time to peruse the many booths and displays set up at the event including Warren-Forest Higher Education Council, Jefferson DeFrees Center, Pennsylvania State Parks, The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Pennsylvania Game Commission, The DUI Strike Force, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Red Cross and many more.

Times Observer Photos by Lorri Drumm K-9 Dina with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office seemed to enjoy taking time out to soak up some attention from visitors to the event.

Times Observer Photos by Lorri Drumm The City of Warren Fire Department aerial ladder truck was one of numerous emergency vehicles at the event.

Times Observer photoS by Lorri Drumm The Third Annual Public Safety Fair took place in Lowe’s parking lot in North Warren on Saturday. Various safety-related mascots including McGruff the Crime Dog and Wally Wiseguy visited with children and posed for photos during the event.

Times Observer photoS by Lorri Drumm The Third Annual Public Safety Fair took place in Lowe’s parking lot in North Warren on Saturday. Emergency crews including Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department and Emergycare conducted a crash extrication drill during the event.