Last Friday, nearly 600 second graders from all over Sevier County converged at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge for Sevier County’s Emergency Medical Services Day. In attendance were representatives from all the local Emergency Medical Services and law enforcement offices including fire trucks, ambulances, squad cars and others.
The event was sponsored by Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center’s emergency department. Participants put on demonstrations and let students ask questions about the various vehicles. “The workers were so good with the kids. They were very informative,” stated Seymour Primary School second grade teacher Mrs. Humble. “The workers would answer the same type of questions over and over again and each time it was like they were answering it for the first time. They were just wonderful”. The students received souvenirs related to safety and EMS.
Teachers were impressed how well planned and laid out everything was. “They were ready for us form the moment we arrived and the kids had a great time” stated Humble.
The highlight for many of the students was getting to see the Police K-9 dog Hans the Belgian Malinois who is partner with Troy Sellars of the Sevierville Police Department. Originally from Europe, Hans answered commands in three languages including English Dutch and German. Officer Sellars along with Hans demonstrated a drug search for the children.
Another favorite was the SWAT team member with his shield, guns and helmet. According to one student, “He didn’t take out his little gun though because it was loaded”.
Besides seeing the vehicles, students actually got to go into the vehicles. They could sit in the squad car or walk into the ambulance. Many teachers felt it was good that the children actually got to see what it was like to be in an emergency vehicle.
The weather cooperated well for the event. It was slightly overcast but not hot and the thunder did not start until the kids started climbing on the bus for their return trip to school. “Humble stated, “We had several teachers praying for good weather and it held out for us.”

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