WAUPUN — The Waupun Police Department and Waupun Fire Department showed residents how they operate Wednesday night at a First Reformed Church youth group event.
The First Reformed Church operates as the location for the local Awana club, and in cooperation with their youth group program invited the Police and Fire Departments to demonstrate. The theme of the event was “Community Heroes Celebration,” providing the Departments time to share about the part they play in keeping the community safe.
“The Community Heroes Celebration is to celebrate all the work they do in Waupun,” said Roxanne Walker, who organizes activities for Awana in Waupun. “The theme night for tonight’s youth group was hero night. So we took it a step further and invited our community heroes. The kids just love this. They love seeing the canines and the squads and fire trucks and everything. So we’re just kind of celebrating them and all the work that they do too.”
According to Walker, they had invited the Police and Fire Departments to visit for last year’s program as well, and were enthusiastic about returning this year with more to show off.
The Fire Department had a few of their trucks on display with all the doors open, showing attendees all the equipment they have at the ready in emergencies. The Police Department also demonstrated the training of their K-9 unit, having the K-9s do various tricks and follow commands in front of the crowd.
Both the Fire Department and Police Department posted on Facebook following the event.
“We’d like to thank the Awana Club at the First Reformed Church for inviting us to their Community Heroes event last night,” the Police Department said in their post. “We enjoyed sharing a meal and having conversation with all of you. We also got to show off some of our equipment to the kids and their families. Of course the K9s always steal the show.”
“It was an honor to be recognized as community heroes, and we are deeply grateful for the kindness and recognition shown to us,” the Fire Department said. “Your support means the world to us, and we are proud to serve such a wonderful community.”
The First Reformed Church provided a meal for students and families attending the event, where they were able to ask questions of officers and firefighters in attendance.
