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Date: 8/11/2022
AGAWAM – There was a big turnout on Aug. 2 for Agawam’s National Night Out (NNO). An estimated 1,000 people attended the fun and informative public safety event.
This was the fourth year Jennie Shepard and her partner Filipe Cravo of Agawam came to the event. She was looking forward to it this year since she brought several members of her family to NNO, including nine children.
“The kids loved seeing all the trucks and emergency vehicles up close so they could touch them and even climb into them and beep the horns,” said Shepard.
Cravo called it a “good community event” with live music and a splash pad for kids on a hot day. “It’s a good event for kids. Not only can they touch a police car, but they can talk to police officers and see that they’re nice people, too.”
He added that brief rain showers early in the evening didn’t dampen their enthusiasm or stop them from coming. But the rain did prevent one major attraction from showing up. The state police Air Wing helicopter was grounded for two hours by weather, limiting it to making a brief flyover.
“I was disappointed that the helicopter didn’t land so we could look at it,” said Shepard. “But was it still cool that it flew around the field for a few minutes, flashing its lights and sounding its siren.”
NNO – also known as “America’s Night Out Against Crime” – promotes “neighborhood camaraderie” among residents by having public safety personnel available to talk with the public. With a broad scope that covers many aspects of public safety, it drew people of all ages to School Street Park.
Patrick Sullivan of Agawam is another regular to NNO. He said it offers residents a good night to come out and see their friends in the community. “I enjoy everything when I come here – there’s lots to do. The safety aspect is very important, too – especially for the kids.”
One of the night’s most popular demonstrations came early when the Agawam Fire Department (AFD) demonstrated how it uses Jaws of Life tools to extract victims of serious vehicle accidents.
AFD Chief Alan Sirois, who narrated each step for spectators watching, promised that firefighters would make “mincemeat” out of the old Cadillac sedan donated by Interstate Towing. And that they did.
Firefighters first punctured all four tires to prevent the car from rolling. Next, the windshield and all other glass were removed. They then proceeded to dismantle and rip it apart. Doors were removed. Fenders were sliced. Roof pillars were chopped.
One of the most dramatic moments came when several firefighters peeled back the Caddy’s roof so that it almost rested on the trunk. This completely exposed the interior of the car, giving firefighters easier access had anyone been inside.
“It was a pretty cool,” said Jim Lane after watching the demonstration. The Agawam resident, who comes every year, likes to see the emergency vehicles and talk with local officials. “It was good to interact with the fire and police departments about what they do. I was also glad to see that our mayor was here, too.”
Jenn Penna and her three-year-old son Layne were also in the crowd watching the Jaws of Life demonstration. “It was awesome to watch firefighters in action. I loved watching it with my son.”
This was the first year she and her husband Jay and daughter Penelope, attended NNO. The Agawam couple was waiting for the coronavirus pandemic to wane and for their kids to get older before coming to NNO.
“This is an absolutely fantastic event,” said Penna as she held her son. “It’s a nice way to bring the community together.” Added Jay Penna, “It’s good to see the faces of the people who keep us safe.”
Another newcomer at NNO was Agawam resident Joelle Phillips, who came with her daughter Hayley and her twin grandchildren. “I’ve lived in town my whole life and this is the first time I’ve been here. I wish they had this when my kids were little. It’s a great way to bring the community together.”
Hayley Philips said she wanted to bring her kids to NNO not only to see fire equipment and other emergency vehicles, but also to meet first responders. “I wanted my kids to see people outside of an emergency situation. I don’t want them to be scared to ask firefighters or police officers for help if they need it.”
NNO is sponsored locally by the Agawam Police Department and nationally by the National Association of Town Watch. Agawam joined nearly 16,000 communities across the country in holding NNO activities. Although the town has held its NNO since 2013, it was the 38th year nationally.
APD Officer Jeffrey Hichborn, who has organized NNO activities for the past two years, said there was a lot of enthusiasm for this year’s event. “I’m very pleased with the crowd we had.”
He said one of the challenges he faced this year was getting commitments from organizations and public safety agencies to have an exhibit or display.
“Part of the difficulty is that a lot of communities in the area are now holding NNOs on the same night as Agawam,” he added. “The agencies are spread thin with competing events on the same night, making it hard to provide equipment or personnel.”
Hichborn said he will be meeting with his planning team in a few weeks to start focusing on the 2023 event. He said their focus will be on turning out some of the core assets for NNO – more military vehicles, more emergency vehicles, and more demonstrations, like the K-9 teams.
His goal:” I want to have the field completely filled next year.”