SFU hosted its third annual First Responders Day on Oct. 25. This year’s event was the largest to date and included individuals from more than 20 organizations across the region involved in fire rescue, law enforcement and emergency response.
“This is a great opportunity for faculty, students and staff to come out and meet our first responders – law enforcement, fire, EMS – and get a chance to see what they do,” said Mark Buckwalter, an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and one of the organizers of the event.
Multiple units from SFU’s Police Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the State Attorney General’s Office, Blacklick Township, Cresson, Nanty Glo, and Loretto, Cambria County Hazmat, Cambria Incident Command, 911 Dispatch Center, Swiftwater Rescue, Gallitzin Rescue and Box 11 visited campus and engaged with students, faculty and staff throughout the day.
“The event turned out great. People got to talk to law enforcement officers and fire fighters and get a feel for what they might want to do in their future,” said Kate Moyer, the Criminal Justice Club’s treasurer. The club’s members helped organize the event.
“It’s nice to get an opportunity to see it firsthand.”
Throughout the morning and early afternoon on Oct. 25, multiple pieces of equipment were parked across the campus mall and first responders shared information about their vehicles and equipment with students, faculty and staff.
Public safety displays were also conducted throughout the event. These included how to handle fire and water rescues, as well as bomb emergencies.
“I did an internship last summer with the Cambria County Sheriff’s Office and I met a lot of great people,” said Criminal Justice Club president Josh Little. “They helped me get in contact with a lot of the people that are here.”
The event included a First Responders Mass at the Immaculate Conception Chapel and an Appreciation Lunch for those visiting campus.
“When you make a call to a first responder, you’re hoping someone’s going to show up, and these are the folks that show up,” said Buckwalter.
“Getting a chance to actually see the equipment and talk to them about what they do was an incredible experience.”
