Community Safety Night brings scouts and families together

VICENZA, Italy — Hoekstra Field Pavilion hosted a Community Safety Night event Nov. 20 that drew 30 Cub Scouts of Pack 295 along with their families on Caserma Ederle, to introduce them to safety, prevention, and the work carried out by local emergency services.

Members of the Directorate of Emergency Services, including the Provost Marshal Office, Fire and Emergency Services, Criminal Investigation Division and Military Working Dog program were at the event, which began with a K-9 demonstration.

The collaboration with Cub Scout Pack 295 underscored the importance of learning about safety awareness, while appreciating the dedication of those working for emergency services.

“We try to do this event every year,” said Anna Williams, Cubmaster Pack 295. “The purpose is to learn about community helpers and what they do for our community.”

Williams said the children enjoyed the evening, learning about firefighting equipment, how CID operates and watching K-9 handlers demonstrate how dogs detect threats.

“It is also important for them [scouts] to know what the MPs do as well and see their vehicles and talk to them about their careers,” Williams said.

Following the demonstration, children and families rotated through three interactive stations. They explored investigative tools such as fingerprinting, toured a fire truck and examined patrol vehicles.

At each station, scouts showed their interest asking several questions.

“They had very good questions,” highlighted Tom Davis, Battalion Chief with U.S. Army Garrison Italy Fire Department.

“Most of them know a lot about the fire trucks already, because they are excited about them every time they visit us at some educational training,” he continued.

He also added that sharing their experience benefits firefighters as well, to help the young generation learn about the tools they use.

For many scouts, one of the highlights of the safety night was the K-9 demonstration.

“I have seen it before,” said Reign H., 11, a Cub Scout Arrow of Light. “But I liked seeing how the dog attacks and the different ways to do it.”