Raymond Kalra
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – National Night Out brings families, first responders together in Palm Desert
Families from across the Coachella Valley gathered at Palm Desert Civic Center Park Saturday evening for National Night Out, an event aimed at strengthening relationships between residents and the first responders who serve their communities.
The event brought together the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department and other local agencies, along with families, vendors and community organizations.
Organizers said the goal was to give residents a chance to meet first responders in a relaxed setting — rather than for the first time during an emergency.
Daniel Hurtado, a senior management analyst involved with the event, said National Night Out is supported by Palm Desert, Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage, which contract with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and CAL FIRE for law enforcement and fire protection services.
“The biggest takeaway is to really get out here and communicate with our first responders to see, hey, they’re human as well. They’re just like us,” Hurtado said, adding that the event is meant to “humanize the badge.”
Families had the opportunity to meet deputies and firefighters, see emergency equipment up close and take part in games and other activities.
For some parents, the event was also an opportunity to introduce their children to first responders in a positive environment.
Ashley Acosta said she enjoys bringing her children to community events and making memories with them. With law enforcement in her own family, she said she believes it is important for her children to be exposed to the work first responders do.
Acosta said events like National Night Out also help her family feel more connected to the community.
“We’ve always had good experiences and everyone is always so kind,” she said.
Other attendees said meeting first responders outside of a stressful situation can help residents see the people behind the uniforms.
One attendee, Alexa Velasquez, said it is important to see first responders “as real people as well.”
For attendee Ava Masterson, the importance of teaching children how to interact with first responders is personal.
Masterson recalled experiencing a fire in her home when she was young and said she did not know how to call 911 at the time.
“When I was young, we actually had a situation where it was me and my brother, and there was a fire in the house. I didn’t know how to call 911,” Masterson said. She said that experience showed her the importance of teaching children at a young age how to seek help during an emergency.
CAL FIRE officials said that type of education is one of the reasons the department participates in National Night Out.
Chief Greg Roberts with CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire said the department brought personnel, fire equipment and its law enforcement bureau to the event so residents could meet firefighters before an emergency happens.
“They have a chance to meet their local fire department before there’s an emergency in a positive manner and get to know us,” Roberts said.
The department also offered information on home fire safety, including creating an emergency exit plan, maintaining smoke detectors and properly storing flammable materials. Roberts said families should have an evacuation plan in place before a fire occurs so they are not trying to figure out how to get out of their home during an emergency.
He also encouraged residents to regularly check smoke detectors and replace batteries, while keeping general fire safety in mind around the home.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said the event also gives deputies an opportunity to show residents a different side of law enforcement.
Captain Jason Sexton with the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station said deputies want residents to understand that they are members of the community as well.
“We want them to recognize that we’re people just like they are, that we care about them,” Sexton said. “This shows the other side of law enforcement.”
Sexton said National Night Out allows deputies to engage with families in a setting without the stress that can accompany calls for service.
He said the department hopes those interactions help build trust and remind residents that deputies are there to protect and help the community.
“We want them to have trust in us, to know that we’re going to do the right thing for them,” Sexton said.
For first responders and families alike, the evening centered on creating connections before an emergency ever happens — with organizers hoping those relationships continue well beyond National Night Out.
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