Sara Stadem | Editor

With the help of other area first responders, the Hartford Area Fire and Rescue (HAFR) hosted their annual Public Safety Day on Saturday, August 28, serving approximately 230 hotdogs for lunch to community members that came to enjoy the event.
The event had stations for community members to visit and interact with, ranging from fire extinguisher training to water safety information. They included:
Humboldt Ambulance: Ambulance tours
Avera Careflight: helicopter tours
Hartford Optimists: bike helmets
Justice Fire & Safety: fire extinguisher training 
Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office: meet a deputy and tour the patrol car
Red Cross: Home fire safety and safe routes out
South Dakota Emergency Medical Services For Children: car seat safety
SD Game Fish and Parks: water safety 
SD Army National Guard: medical transport vehicle
The HAFR did live burns pertaining to both a living room fire smoke house and grease fire safety with HAFR volunteer Todd Lowe providing educational information through the demonstrations. HAFR volunteers Rochelle Herrde, Katie Kruger and Braydon Johnson were on the hose to put out the fire in the smoke house demonstration.
Children could also enjoy a Junior Firefighter obstacle course that was put on by the HAFR along with learning hands only CPR and more.
According to HAFR volunteers Heerde and Linda Hartman, the cookies for the lunch were a donation to help with day. “Cookies were donated by Miller Funeral Home and Subway! We appreciate their support!” Hartman said.
“We were excited and encouraged by the turnout and felt the day was a great success! We heard many positive comments from those who attended and those who exhibited,” Hartman said.
Heerde concluded, “Overall, the turnout was great! We cannot thank the community enough for their support towards our department! We truly are blessed with the best community!”