BVFD hosts Health Awareness Exhibition

Nathan Straus Photo Air One lands on the track field.

Visitors to the Brownsboro Independent School District track on Saturday, Sept. 8, were treated to an event all about health and safety; the first Fire Safety and Health Exhibition.

Lisa Huffman, special events coordinator with the Brownsboro Fire and Rescue fire department, said this was an event that had been cooking for six months. Brownsboro Fire and Rescue is a team of volunteer firefighters.

However, Robert Chambers, fire chief for Brownsboro Fire and Rescue, said turnout was not as high as it could have been.

"Turnout was low," Chambers said. "Too much other stuff at the same time."

Chambers added that while turnout was low, Brownsboro Fire and Rescue is not going to give up plans to try to make the exhibition an annual event.

"We're going to try to move it to cooler weather," Chambers stated.

Huffman said the vendors at the exhibition offered a wide variety of tests and items.

"It's a major fundraiser," Huffman said. "We've got health vendors selling breathing apparatuses, and we've got a smokehouse; it's a smoke simulator."

The smokehouse featured the inside of what a small house might look like when engulfed in smoke from a fire. Exhibition goers could walk inside and experience what it is like to be inside a house aflame.

The exhibition opened at 9 am and ended at 2 pm. East Texas Medical Center's helicopter Air One landed on the field close to 11.

"Trinity Mother Frances Health Care System brought sports care," Huffman began. "You can check your Body Mass Index. They also provided some of the tents."

Marc Kirby, a respiratory therapist, said he decided to come to the exhibition soon after being contacted about it.

"I'm here selling home medical equipment," Kirby said.

Huffman said ETMC provided tents of their own, and they featured a blood pressure machine where onlookers could get a test.

Though Brownsboro Fire and Rescue hosted the event, theirs wasn't the only team of firefighters present. Chandler, West Side, and North 19 fire departments also came to the exhibition.

Huffman noted that the event was catered, and hungry visitors could certainly get their fill. Outback Steakhouse set up a tent for hamburgers, and sausage and turkey legs were served alongside the steakhouse meats.

In addition to the food, Huffman said the Max Smith Band was also present, as well as Sparky the Fire Dog and arts and crafts vendors; all this and a moonwalk for the kids. The Max Smith Band played mainly Bluegrass music.

Huffman said the true purpose of the exhibition was twofold.

"We're here to raise awareness about health and safety. And it's about giving back to the community," Huffman said.

Chambers said despite the low turnout, the event was still helpful to those who attended.

"Some of the older ones were appreciative," Chambers remarked.