SEQUIM — A first responder recognition event will move to Clallam County on Saturday when Unity of Effort arrives in Sequim.
Security Services Northwest will host the event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at company headquarters, 250 Center Park Way. Unity of Effort is free and open to the public.
“For the past 20 years we held the Unity of Effort at our business location along Discovery Bay in Jefferson County. With our business headquarters relocating to Sequim last fall, this year marks our debut in Clallam County,” said Joe D’Amico, SSNW president.
“All of the same first responder units have been invited, including those from Jefferson County.”
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island has confirmed that its search and rescue helicopter will make an appearance at the event, subject to mission availability.
Approval has been obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration and the city of Sequim, D’Amico said.
At previous events, helicopters and crew from the U.S. Army and Airlift Northwest have participated.
A field next to the SSNW Headquarters, just off Washington Street near downtown Sequim, has been secured for a helicopter landing zone.
Communication efforts are underway with owners of other adjacent properties in terms of parking and other issues, said Jennifer Scott, SSNW vice president.
“We greatly appreciate the support shown by the city of Sequim, from the Public Works Department to the police, fire marshal and city administration, and from our business neighbors” Scott said. “They want our event to be successful and grow.”
Said D’Amico: “The event has developed from having an armored car, fire truck and an ostrich to having helicopters, representatives of multiple branches of the armed services and dozens of local first responders.”
Popular features of Unity of Effort such as a bucket brigade competition, straw pile toy find for children, bouncing house for children and live music (the featured band is Hair Storm) are all slated to return, according to a news release.
Expect to see a variety of displays, vendor booths and show-and-tell exhibits from fire districts, law enforcement, the U.S. military and Washington state agencies.
The Seattle Sea-Gals are sending a contingent, which also has become an annual attraction.
New this year, food service will be available from a selection of food truck vendors parked on site.
An annual .22-caliber target shooting contest returns, this time thanks to a “virtual” shooting simulator.
Vehicle parking is available on streets near the SSNW headquarters, and in the parking lot next door at Evergreen Collision Center & Towing, which is not open to the public on Saturdays.
For information, call 800-859-3463 or go to www.ssnwhq.com.
