First Shoalwater Bay Safety Fair a success

Photo by Jeff Clemens South Beach Regional Fire Authority Chief Dennis Benn speaks over the radio with the pilots of the Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter during the landing.

The Shoalwater Bay Police department held its first Safety Fair on Thursday, August 15 at the Shoalwater Bay Gym working with agencies from across Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties.

Hard Work brings agencies and communities

The fair was organized by Shoalwater Bay Police Department Officer Sarah Boggs who wanted to create an event that would bring agencies along the coast together, and get to know one another and also allow citizens to interact with them as well.

"It all took a lot of work to organize," Boggs said. "It was three long months of jam-packed work. There were calls and emails and follow ups. Then I had to get permission from the tribe, and had to present it to the council."

Safety Fair kicks off

The event began at 10:00 a.m. with booths set up by over a dozen agencies including South Bend Regional Fire Authority (SBRFA), Pacific County Sheriff's Office, Pacific County Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Marshals Office who set up outside the gym. Another dozen agencies set up booths inside the gym including Crisis Support Network, Washington State Parks Department and many others.

At approximately 12:30 p.m the first of two scheduled helicopters rumbled through the sky with the noise sending attendees charging out the door to watch. SBRFA Chief Dennis Benn set up strobes in the landing zone area located in a grassy field next to the gym. Benn also held up a strand of caution tape to allow the pilot and co-pilot a visual of the wind direction as they landed.

The helicopter made three passes before it finally touched down and was rushed by attendees anxious to see the helicopter and meet its flight crew. The crew introduced themselves and gave a few speeches about water safety and the importance of being prepared in the water and along local beaches before taking questions about themselves and the helicopter.

Airlift Northwest was scheduled to arrive at 1:30 p.m. with a helicopter but never made an appearance at the fair. It was unclear if they were diverted to an emergency, but it was highly expected to be the case. Airlift Northwest is the largest and busiest emergency air response agency in Washington State.

Over a dozen booths

One of the more exciting booths inside the gym was a finding prints station operated by Raymond Police Department Sgt. Arlie Boggs who taught attendees, mostly children, about how departments collect fingerprints at crime scenes. Several kids attempted to collect their prints off items they touched, and learned how difficult and meticulous the process can be.

Other highlights of the fair included a demonstration of the Splash Drone piloted by Shoalwater Bay Police Officer Chris Boggs and set up by the U.S. Marshals Office outside the gym where attendees could try on some of the gear used by marshals, and the equipment they use during their work such as ballistic shields and battering rams.

"I am so grateful to them all," says Boggs

Approximately 125-150 people trekked through the fair and most spoken with said they felt the fair was 'well put on and a lot of fun.' Officer Sarah Boggs and the Shoalwater Bay Police Department are planning to hold the event again in 2020 and already have decided on a few changes and some additions.

"I think it went pretty well," Boggs said. "We have already realized some of the stuff we could have done better and some of the changes we need to make next time. The first one was more of a do-what-we-can-do and the second one will be a lot more tailored. We sent out surveys to all the vendors and participants so they can tell us what worked well and what we could do better next time."

"The whole thing was very humbling to see all the people and vendors that showed up," Boggs added. "I am very grateful to them all. I was so happy everyone was there and that they had a good time."