Kids and moms enjoy the Engine #9 ride
CARMEL – Warm, humid weather greeted hundreds of families Saturday to the Putnam Bureau of Emergency Services complex in Carmel for Putnam’s 12th annual Children’s Expo and Public Safety Fair.
Children of all ages as well as their moms, dads and grandparents were treated to a variety of exhibitions that brought awareness about aspects of child safety from fire prevention to always buckling up when riding in a vehicle as well as the proper fitting of bicycle helmets.
Keeping children safe was the theme of the fair that was highlighted by canine demonstrations courtesy of the Putnam Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police, lessons dealing with the safe handling of animals and a visit from a magician and storyteller.
There were dancers, singers, martial arts demonstrations and a real live train that made the event its usual success.
The program was co-sponsored by the Putnam Bureau of Emergency Services, Putnam Hospital Center and the Child Advocacy Center and was again held in memory of Barbara Gross, an educator from Carmel, who lost her valiant battle to cancer in 2011.
Marla Behler, CAC Program coordinator, praised both her staff as well as Putnam’s emergency responders for keeping families safe from potential dangers and Commissioner of Emergency Services Ken Clair thanked representatives from fire companies and ambulance corps for participating.
County Executive MaryEllen Odell also commended Putnam’s volunteer fire and EMS corps for their daily assistance. “I’d hate to think where Putnam would be without the service of our highly trained and dedicated volunteers.”
The sheriff’s office issued scores of Operation SAFE CHILD cards while joining other law enforcement professionals in making dozens of car seat checks.
