Police, firefighters show stuff

Lauren Vane

Anyone driving by City Hall Saturday afternoon might have thought

they had come across a bad traffic accident. Two badly damaged cars

with shattered windshields rested bumper-to-bumper as a team of

firefighters worked to free victims from inside the cars.

Paramedics stood by, ready to transport the victims to the

hospital as the firefighters removed the roof of one car using the

Jaws of Life.

Fortunately, onlookers were not witnessing a real accident. The

scene was staged to show the public how the fire department performs

a cut-and-rescue operation at the scene of a traffic accident.

The demonstration took place as part of the festivities at the

annual Laguna Beach Police and Fire Department Open House. Each year

the city opens its doors to offer the public a glimpse at how the men

and women of the police and fire departments do their jobs.

“Here, they can see how labor intensive these events are,” said

Fire Chief Mike Macey.

In reality, the fire department uses the Jaws of Life to perform

about a dozen cut-and-rescue operations per year, Macey said.

Macey said the open house gives the community an opportunity to

appreciate the equipment that police and fire use to save lives.

“People question why we send so many fire engines to an accident,”

said reserve firefighter John Luna Jr. “Well, this is why.”

Around the corner at the entrance to the police department, people

milled about the various booths set up to provide information on law

enforcement programs.

Officer Tony White offered his police motorcycle to adults and

children to have their picture taken on a real police motorcycle .

Department employees also gave tours of the jail and gave out free

hot dogs and sodas.

“This is a great opportunity for the public to be able to come in

and view the department inside,” said Capt. Danell Adams.

The highlight of the open house -- and perhaps the best show of

the softer side of law enforcement -- was the youngest member of the

Orange County Sheriff’s department: a bloodhound puppy just beginning

training to become the next police dog.