National Night Out set for Aug. 7
CRANBERRY TWP — The township-hosted National Night Out event at one time attracted hundreds of onlookers as police, fire and emergency service vehicles paraded down Haine School Road.
Now, after more than a decade since the last event, township officials are gearing up for a new incarnation.
The event is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Target store in the Cranberry Commons and will feature a parade through the plaza at 6:30 p.m.
According to Amy Behun, administrative assistant and recruiter for the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Department, Target stores in each region select a community each year in which to hold a National Night Out event. Cranberry was selected this year, with hopes of making the event an annual occurrence.
Participating agencies and activities will include the Butler County Humane Society, the Victim Outreach Intervention Center and fire, EMS and police agencies.
FBI Child ID kits will be available, as well as food, games, face painting and the Cranberry Fire Safety House. Giveaways will include raffles for school supplies, backpacks and bikes.
Behun said the main goal is to give the community a chance to meet first responders in a more relaxed setting.
“Especially for kids, this gives them a little more of a comfort level and (they can) see that we're not scary people,” she said.
It also serves to let the community know what services are provided by individual agencies. For example, Behun said Cranberry EMS offers car seat safety inspections, as well as a program in which the agency checks child safety features and other items in a home with those expecting a new child.
Ted Fessides, deputy chief of administration for Cranberry EMS, said the department will be on hand for the parade, and also to pass out information and engage the community.
“We'll let them know we're a lot more than just an ambulance service,” he said.
Fessides said he remembers National Night Outs of the past, which drew large crowds.
Fessides said for him the appeal of the event is simple.
“I get to see people when I'm not on a call, and it's always better to see them in that way,” he said.
