By Bill Hardesty | [email protected]

Nearly 500 South Salt Lake residents enjoyed a warm summer night as they celebrated the National Night Against Crime and Emergency Preparedness Community Fair on Aug. 3 at Central Park.

Among the 22 exhibitors were:

• SSL Community Development shared the final draft of the SSL 2040 General Plan (The City Council passed the General Plan in August)
• SSL Amateur Radio & CERT explained amateur radio's role when usual communications methods aren't working after a disaster. They also promoted the upcoming CERT training. 
• The Recorder's office was on hand to explain rank voting, which will be used in the upcoming municipal elections in November.
• South Salt Lake Fire Department was in attendance with their firehouse that provides home safety information and allows them to demonstrate how to exit a home full of smoke. They also had at least one piece of fire apparatus during the event, including Engine 41. This newest fire engine came online in 2020 and has the smoke-over-fFire color scheme.
• SSL Police Department was in attendance in force. They had items to give away and demonstrated their new canine officer. They also had their mobile command center on-site.
• SSL Victims Services explained the supportive role they play for crime victims, as part of SSLPD.
• Utah Clean Energy was on hand, passing out energy-efficient light bulbs.
• Promise SSL promoted the weekly visit of The Wellness Bus that comes to the Central Park Community Center each Thursday from 3-7 p.m.. They also gave away new backpacks full of school supplies to children. 

After opening the backpack, a student shouted, "Wow," and his mother, through tears, expressed gratitude for such a gift.

• SSL Animal Services was in attendance with cute kittens to adopt.
• SSL Parks and Recreation passed out soft ice cream cones.
• SSL Honorary Colonels gave out popcorn and arranged for volunteers from The Other side Academy to pass out pizza and cookies. They estimate they shared more than 300 slices of pizza. The Honorary Colonels also hosted the annual SSLPD vs. SSLFD Tug of War

1. "We want to thank The Other Side Academy for helping with set up and serving food," Danielle Croyle, public information officer, said, "Along with Big Daddy's Pizza for providing pizza at a discount."

Tug-of-War

This year's annual tug-of-war between the SSLPD and the SSLFD was much more competitive for a while, with SSLPD winning, in the end.

"Last time, the SSLFD was over the line in something like six seconds," Sean Marchant of the Honorary Colonels said, "I noticed this year, SSLFD had more bulk."

SSLPD not only won bragging rights for another year, but they also took possession of a unique traveling trophy.

CERT Training

The SSLFD is sponsoring additional Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.

"This time, the training will be in two pieces," Chief Terry Addison said, "There is 12 hours of online training and 16 hours spread across two days of hands-on training."

The hands-on portion is scheduled for Nov. 6 and Nov.13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Columbus Center gym.

Completing both portions is required to receive a final certificate of course completion and CERT authorized equipment.

The goal of CERT is to provide response teams to act as an adjunct to the city's emergency services during a major disaster.

The SSLFD website describes the CERT program. "When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders and provide immediate assistance to victims. CERT members also assist with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community. Through this unique program, people from community organizations, business and industry, and city employee groups become CERT members. They work as team members and perform as individual leaders by directing untrained volunteers in the initial phase of an emergency." 

The training is free. To register, go to SSL.comDepartmentsFireCommunity Education or follow this link (https://sslc.com/department-listings/fire/communityeducation)