Jack Camacho, chairman of the EMS Committee 2011, said this was the second time that they held an open house in Garapan where firefighters showed children the equipment use for fire fighting and other emergencies.
He said they wanted to teach the public about safety to lessen the emergency calls that they have every year. “Last year, we got about 5,000-6,000 emergency calls for an ambulance. We’re trying to bring it down by informing everyone about public safety during this event,” Camacho said.
The bike rodeo held at American Memorial Park was part of the EMS Week celebration, and Camacho said they also promoted bike safety and held a clinic during the event.
“We noticed that there are a lot of bikers on island already and we thought that it’s good to get them all together for a bike safety clinic,” he added.
Firefighter Patrick George, last year’s EMS Committee chairman, said in addition to informing everyone about public safety, they also gave out items such as EMS products, school supplies, water bottles, t-shirts and a brand new BMX bike in a raffle draw for the participating children.
He said they also celebrated the sacrifices of the EMS personnel. “We call them our everyday heroes, which is also our theme for this year’s EMS Week,” he added.
George said Coastal Resources Management, the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Committee, the American Red Cross, the Community Emergency Response Team, Matua Riders, the Department of Public Safety’s Click it or Ticket program, and Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service were their partners in the event.
He said “they gave out flyers and safety tips,” during the six-hour event in front of the fire station.
“I think the program is really great. This morning I was able to learn a lot about biking safety. I learned that using a helmet while biking is a law,” said Jordon Kosom of the ports police.
Angie Mister, who brought all her three children, said it was a fun community event.
“Prior to the event, we certified about 100 people, both parents and teachers of Head Start in Garapan, San Antonio, and Koblerville, for CPR,” said Patrick George.
The goal of EMS and its partners in the community is to share safety tips with the children.
Sponsors this year included Coca-Cola, Docomo, Joeten, McDonald’s, Pacific Islands Club, Power 99, Shell, Saipan World Resort, D&Q, Horizon Incorporated, I-Connect, Islander Rent-A-Car Micronesian Brokers, Saipan Shipping Co., Yaong Corporation, Coral Ocean Point, National Office Supply, Mascot, All Parts Inc, Saipan Computer Services, Hofschneider Engineering LLC, Han Nam Market, I-Market, Gree Air-Conditioning, Dakota, Lollipops, DFS, Brabu Pharmacy, Glimpses, Sexual Assault Awareness Month Committee, Community Emergency Response Team, Foremost Scoops Saipan, Bike Pro, American Red Cross, Chow Queen Bakery, Dial Rent to Own, Matua Riders, Detry Corp., Russ Quinn, Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores, Reps. Trenton Connor, Francisco Dela Cruz,. Ramon Tebuteb, Edmund Villagomez, Sen. Pete Reyes, Saipan Ice Company, Parks & Recreation, Tyce Mister and Family, and Dr. Ed Tudor.
