Naperville police and fire departments postponed their Public Safety Open House scheduled for Saturday in the parking lot of their facilities due to heavy downpours.
“We tried (to bring it inside), but it was too much of a hassle,” said Naperville Police Department Commander Tom Kammerer. Many of the planned events — including a simulated helicopter rescue and mock house fire — were too difficult or impossible to provide in the buildings.
The event is rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 22, from noon to 4 p.m, when the weather is predicted to be sunny and mild.
Saturday’s rain kept officers busy protecting drivers from heavy flooding near Mill Street and 5th Avenue, River Road and Rickert Drive, and North and Charles avenues. “We’re dealing with flooding, blocking off streets that are flooded all over town,” Kammerer said. “People like to go look. We put (barricades) out this morning to pre-empt” any problems from rising water.
While the commander discouraged residents from checking out flooding in person, he said the Public Safety Open House is specifically designed to satisfy people’s interest in those types of emergencies as well as the response by police and fire.
“People are curious. It’s interesting stuff to people, and a chance to show off what our folks do. We have a good relationship with the community,” Kammerer said. The open house is designed “to be transparent, show people what we do and answer questions.”
The rescheduled event will be held on the grounds of the police and fire department at 1350 Aurora Ave. in Naperville and will feature a variety of demonstrations, including a flashover fire room, taser, canine tracking, crime scene investigation, forensics, simulated flash flood, dispatch and 911 booth, and a Lifestar helicopter landing with auto extrication and DUI arrest.
The Public Safety Open House will have attractions for children as well, with visits from Sparky the Fire Dog and McGruff the Crime Dog in addition to a large display of fire and police vehicles and equipment, fingerprinting and child ID and fire extinguisher training.
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The police special response team will be on hand along with representatives from Crime Stoppers and Animal Control. Visitors will have access to fire and crime prevention info, blood pressure checks and food trucks.
The Fire Department’s Stop, Drop & Run 5K, scheduled to immediately precede Saturday’s open house, was also canceled due to weather. No plans have been announced regarding rescheduling the race.
Diane Moca is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.