Helicopter Lands During Children's Expo in Putnam

The annual Children's Expo and Public Safety Day drew lots of local families to Carmel this weekend for a slew of activities.

Folks enjoyed the nice weather Saturday and munched on burgers and hots dogs as they browsed demonstrations and entertainment, including:

• Brewster Fire Department safety house
• Car seat checks
• Fire engine tours
• Games
• Magic show and puppeteers
• STAT helicopter demonstration
• Tours of the 911 center
• Vehicle rescue simulation 

The event took place on the campus of the County’s TOPS (Training and Operations) building on Old Route 6. It was sponsored by the Bureau of Emergency Services and the Child Advocacy Center (CAC).

"The Bureau of Emergency Services keeps Putnam County children and their families safe from various potential dangers," reads a press release about the event. "They respond to all emergencies—fires, drownings, motor vehicle accidents. Last year the Putnam County’s 911 Call Center fielded 118,307 calls, EMS handled nearly 6,878 calls, and the department graduated over 393 state and county fire training graduates."

CAC Program Coordinator Marla Behler highlighted the relationship between emergency responders and the center, and said it made sense for the agencies to sponsor the day together.

"Often EMS workers can be the first called to the scene of a child abuse incident,” said Marla Behler, CAC Program Coordinator. “They are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, as we are. It is only fitting that the ... Children’s Expo & Public Safety Day be organized by both of us."