Evelyn Lucas, 5, and her friends Kevin McGuckin, 3, and his sister Kinsley McGuckin, 5 (front row) pose with Flight Nurse Pamela Young.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota
Neighbors
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At this month's open house with the Sarasota County Fire Department, eyes weren't just on the vehicles and displays on the ground, but were also turning to the skies.
Held at Station 5 at 400 N. Beneva Road, the event featured a medical helicopter owned by Bayflite, which landed near the station and opened to the community for tours.
The open house events allow community members to visit fire stations for offerings that include meeting local firefighters, touring fire apparatus, free car seat safety inspections and stations teaching visitors about fire safety and hands-on CPR.
This month's open house also included a rappelling demonstration.
Pamela Young, a flight nurse with Bayflite, said in the local communities, not everyone has fast access to a particular specialty or hospital, noting in North Port, where the helicopter is based, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the nearest trauma center.
"It takes 50 minutes," she said. "We can fly up there in 15, and that makes such a difference in the mortality rates, and the morbidity, and how the patient does."
When Kennedy Brown, 4, rides by Station 5 on the way to school, she knows it as "Grandpa's station." It's where her grandfather Glen Taylor (right) was formerly employed, having retired as a captain. "We're glad it's here this month," said her mother Katelyn Brown.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Linda Poulin of Humane Society of Sarasota County holds Teddy, with Deputy Brian Keane of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The Bayflight helicopter was available for tours.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Eli Lucas, 2, plays a game of catch with his uncle David Blumenstock, using a stuffed animal received at the open house.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Parker Eagan, 2, and his mother Kiley Eagan watch as the helicopter comes in for a landing.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Rhett Hochstetler, 3, covers his ears as the helicopter lands.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Valerie Altier, 6, her brother McClain Altier, 5, and their mother Kyle Altier look inside the helicopter.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The helicopter touches down.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Evelyn Lucas, 5, and her friends Kevin McGuckin, 3, and his sister Kinsley McGuckin, 5 (front row) pose with Flight Nurse Pamela Young.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Matthew Heinlein, 4, and Benjamin Heinlein, 7, learn about CPR from Firefighter/EMT Victor Vassallo.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Firefighter Goldwich Parker helps Dylan Slowik, 2, use the fire hose.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ayaan Patel, 5, watches as the helicopter comes in for a landing.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Firefighters set up a rapelling demonstration.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The helicopter approaches.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Brenda Kotecki, a member of the fire department administration, sets out balloons.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Louie Romanoff, 4, pets Teddy of the Humane Society of Sarasota County.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Flight Nurse Pamela Young steps out of the helicopter as it lands.
Photo by Ian Swaby
SunCoast Blood Centers was present, and alongside the fire department, is currently hosting the Boots vs. Badges blood drive, a blood donation competition between the local police and fire departments through Aug. 23.
Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.
