SPFD teams up with Mid-State, others, for child safety education

By Brandi Makuski

Riverfront Rendevouz returned last week, with thousands descending upon Pfiffner Pioneer Park—and earlier in the day than in previous years, thanks in large part to expanded children’s activities that dwarfed anything seen at the event in the past.

Music, beer, and food tents returned for the 36th annual, three-day festival along the Wisconsin River celebrating the July 4th holiday. But under Parks Director Dan Kremer, more elements were added to this year’s Riverfront, including a lumberjack show, inflatables, and food trucks.

Kremer took over the department just weeks before the 2019 Riverfront Rendevouz. No event was held in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Stevens Point Firefighter/Paramedic Shane Westphal said Kremer reached out to him to discuss some additions to Riverfront, just prior to COVID.

“We offered a smaller version of the firefighter challenge for kids at a Guns’n Hoses event; Dan (Kremer) heard about it, and asked Chief (Robert) Finn if we could do something like that here,” Westphal said.

Westphal said while planning the 2021 activities with Kremer and Fire Marshal Drew Egan, the plans got “bigger and bigger.”

“I said, why don’t we do a CPR challenge, get some other entities, and make it a better event?” Westphal said.

SPFD got the Stevens Point Child Safety Center and volunteers from an EMT-Basic class at Mid-State Technical College on board, and together, the three entities taught fire recognition and safety, CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and other safety education to kids younger than six through a series of games and activities. The SPFD Explorer Post also assisted, Westphal said.

The Hull Fire Department brought the Portage Co. Smoke House, a mock two-story home that fills with harmless fog mimicking smoke so children and their families can learn to safely evacuate a home during a fire.

Firefighters from Park Ridge and Plover organized a junior firefighter obstacle course, giving kids a taste of pared-down firefighting activities like breaking in a door, dragging a victim to safety, hauling hoses, and using a real firehose.

Local law enforcement was also at the event with squads, K9 dogs, and SWAT vehicles for the public to inspect.

“When we found out we were having Riverfront this year, we knew we were going to do this,” Westphal said. “It’s more of a response than I thought it would be—I think we’ll run out of prizes. But that’s okay because the kids are having fun while they’re learning.”

Westphal said the SPFD plans to host the event again at next year’s Riverfront.