Despite dreary weather, Palmyra’s residents and first responders converged on Broad Street to meet and greet one another.
Despite the overcast skies and threat of rain on Saturday, May 6, Palmyra’s Downtown and Public Safety Day took place as scheduled, shutting down several blocks of Broad Street for vendors, bounce houses and interactive demonstrations from Palmyra’s public safety officials.
Palmyra’s Independence Fire Company Chief Richard Dreby said Saturday’s turnout was reasonably sized in light of the weather. He said Independence Fire Company was asked to facilitate some of the day’s planning two weeks ago, and members of the fire department stepped in to get the day over the finish line.
Dreby said some of the biggest draws were the fire truck rides around town and the opportunity for kids to man a fire hose. He said this marked the first year they had an interactive hose demonstration at Palmyra Day, and based on the endless stream of kids lining up for the chance to participate, he said it probably won’t be the last.
Fire department volunteer Anthony DeFranco, who manned the hose with kids, said every year his and the department’s goal for safety day is to get information to the public. He said kids could feel the pressure with which the hose expels water, and he provided insights on the proper way to point the hose when trying to extinguish flames.
“It’s about utilizing the programs we have to show people about fire safety and fire awareness,” DeFranco said.
He said through the overwhelming interest in the hose display, he was able to chat with families about basic fire safety information. For example, he relayed the information that sleeping with the bedroom door closed delays the time it takes for a fire to spread by cutting down the fire’s oxygen supply. He said simple information such as that can make the difference in the event of a fire.
Past Palmyra Fire Chief John Miller smiled as he chatted with people in front of Independence Fire Company. The company is seeking volunteers. He said Palmyra Day offers residents an inside look at the work of town’s first responders.
“It brings the police department, fire department and the townspeople together as a unit and they can see what their taxes are paying for and what we have to offer,” Miller said.
Byran Norcross, undersheriff of Burlington County, was at Palmyra Day to discuss the sheriff department’s variety of community outreach programs. He was also offering kids and families an opportunity to take a tour inside an unmarked squad car as well as a newly-created community outreach vehicle, which he said they designed to sport a NASCAR theme. He said the department went with a NASCAR theme to make police seem approachable to kids.
As a Palmyra resident, Norcross said Palmyra Day is important for the community.
“I think it’s a great community outreach program the borough does along with the fire department and other organizations to bring our community out and show what Palmyra actually has to offer, because I think too many times, we’re pushed off to the side,” Norcross said.
Benny Bullen, a 9-year-old resident of Palmyra, said he never would have gotten a chance to see the inside of a police vehicle if it wasn’t for Palmyra Day.
“It was awesome,” Benny said laughing after Officer Megan Ninkovic of the New Jersey Transit Police pretended to arrest him.
Benny’s mother, Robin, said Palmyra Day was a nice small town community event for her to experience with her family.
Dylan Casmer, a volunteer with Palmyra’s Ambulance Association, said Palmyra Day allows residents an opportunity to see emergency service equipment, so they’re not afraid to call 911.
“It gives them some insight about what we do, so they’re not afraid when we come to their house,” Casmer said.
In addition to getting to know their first responders, Palmyra Day also offered residents a chance to shop local vendors. Kayla Feifer, a resident of Bensalem who was attending Palmyra Day for the first time with her boyfriend, said she was shocked by the number of small business and local organizations lining Broad Street.
“A lot of the time it’s just big businesses at events like these,” Feifer said. “It’s showing how important [small businesses] are to the community.”
Crafters Roland and Florence Clem of Mount Holly come to Palmyra Day every year to sell their wares. Roland creates his own bow and arrows, and his wife Florence sews doll clothes. The duo agreed getting to interact with people one-on-one is the best way to sell their goods.
“The street fairs are really good,” Florence said, gesturing to the doll clothes for sale.
Miller said for the fire department’s first time organizing Palmyra Day, things went well, and the experience has given them ideas for next year.
“Next year it’ll be a 100 percent better than this year because now we have a handle on what we’re doing,” Miller said. “We’re looking to grow this next year.”
