By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

MORE than 200 parents and children gathered at the Garapan Fire Station on Saturday to participate in the Department of Public Safety’s first open house activity in observance of Emergency Medical Services Week as well as Emergency Medical Services for Children and Click It or Ticket Mobilization Weeks.
The participants were treated to fun, games and snacks.
DPS spokesman Lei Ogumoro said as of 11 a.m. on Saturday, 275 parents and children had registered for the event.
The open house started at 9 a.m. and its aim was to increase public awareness about DPS programs related to child safety and emergency medical services.
For the Click It or Ticket Mobilization chaired by PO1 Regino Celis, materials were displated to promote the proper use of car seats and seatbelts.
Free reading material and coloring books as well as crayons for the children were given away.
The Commonwealth Health Center also participated and conducted free blood sugar and blood pressure testing.
Various fire trucks and emergency vehicles were displayed in the area.
Fire division mascot Sparky was part of the featured entertainment for children.
Fire Director Tom Manglona said it was the first time that they have held an open house activity in observance of EMS Week.
“Our main goal is to reach out to the families about our child safety and other programs. We prepared a lot of activities for the kids,” Manglona said.
The event was sponsored by the Baby Pedro Memorial Fund created by former DPS spokeswoman Rose Ada-Hocog in 2000 to address concerns about traffic safety.
Ada-Hocog, who is now with the labor department, said among those who donated money for the event were House Floor Leader Florencio T. Deleon Guerrero, D-Saipan; Senate President Joseph M. Mendiola, Covenant-Tinian; Rota Municipal Council member Joey Quitugua; Rep. Absalon Waki, Covenant-Saipan; Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan; Reps. Manuel A. Tenorio, R-Saipan; Cinta M. Kaipat, Covenant-Saipan; Francisco S. Dela Cruz, Covenant-Saipan; the 7th cycle fire cadets and their families; Success Auto Repair Shop; and the EMS Committee.