WIESBADEN, Germany - Family members wave as a fire rescue vehicle from U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden drives by during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany - Sparky the Fire Dog waves to spectators during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany - A member of the military police waves to spectators during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany - A fire and rescue vehicle, flanked by first responders, drives along Via Principalis during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany - Military working dogs and their handlers walk along Via Principalis during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany - Polizei ride horses during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany – Children cheer as a fire rescue truck shoots water during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany – Lt. Col. Edwin Escobar (right), Director of Emergency Services at U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, waves to spectators during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany – McGruff the Crime Dog waves to spectators during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany – A member of the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden military police gives high fives to children as he passes out candy during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany – A first responder vehicle shoots water during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany - First responders wave to spectators during a First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

WIESBADEN, Germany – Smiling children squealed, waved and caught candy as fire and police vehicles drove by spraying water and blaring sirens during the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden First Responders Day parade Aug. 21 on Clay Kaserne.

Military police and firefighters, as well as their Polizei partners, military working dogs and Polizei horses made their way through Newman Village, greeting physically distanced spectators lining the parade route. The event was hosted by the USAG Wiesbaden Directorate of Emergency Services.

Following the parade, families were invited to enjoy free lunch from the USO and ice cream at the police and fire station. McGruff the Crime Dog, Sparky the Fire Dog and the AFN Eagle were in attendance.

“It was an opportunity to give thanks to the community for their tremendous support in ensuring a safe and secure environment, especially during this pandemic,” said Lt. Col. Edwin Escobar, provost marshal and director of Emergency Services for the garrison.

Families expressed their appreciation for the event.

“Huge kudos to the organizers of the First Responders Parade today,” said Kaci Welch, who attended with her children, ages 8 and 4. “It was so perfect. If we can’t trick or treat this year, I hope we can pull together a parade like today. So awesome.

“My kids loved seeing all of the different people and vehicles and animals that are there to help us if we need them,” she added. “And getting sprayed by a fire truck was just the icing on the cake on this 90 degree day.”