Rock the Block with Public Safety was a casual way for Mt. Lebanon’s public safety personnel to meet with residents.
Saturday afternoon at Howe Elementary was filled with fun, food and games and the opportunity to get up close to police cars, ambulances and fire trucks.
After a survey showed residents were looking for more engagement, Mt. Lebanon’s public safety departments decided to throw four neighborhood block parties this summer.
“Police, fire and EMS have joined together to provide a kind of fun, non-threatening environment for families to come see their public safety equipment, personnel, and enjoy the day,” said Deputy Fire Chief Rodger Ricciuti.
Corporal Jeff Kite, a supervisor in Mt. Lebanon police department’s community outreach unit, said it’s a good way to meet outside the normal environment. “We’re out of uniform to make ourselves seem a little more personable and give the people the opportunity to meet us off-duty,” Kite said.
Charlotte Rhoads, Dylan Drive, brought her 3-year-old daughter, Ada, to the party.
“We love the fire engines. We see them practicing at the end of Dylan Drive and it’s a treat. We appreciate everything the fire department does for the community,” she said, as she helped her daughter climb aboard a fire truck.
Medical Rescue Team South Authority EMT Lilly Caudill welcomes events like this.
“A lot of kids and even adults are scared of being in an ambulance, so to be able to come inside and speak with us and get to know us and see what the inside of an ambulance looks like when they’re not sick or hurt is really important,” she said.
Linda and Paul Richardson, of Twin Hills, brought their grandson, Louis Demme, because “he likes anything with wheels,” Linda said.