GARDINER — First responders, the military and security specialists will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday during the Fort Discovery Unity of Effort.
The public is invited to the daylong picnic and expo which will feature equipment demonstrations, training rescues, bomb robots and live music.
Entry to the event at Fort Discovery, the sprawling headquarters of Security Services North west Inc. at 3501 Old Gardiner Road, is a $20 suggested donation to cover the cost of the picnic lunch and defray costs.
Parking is limited, so visitors are urged to park at 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn and take a shuttle, which leaves every hour beginning at 10 a.m. The shuttle will return to the casino on the half-hour.
An MH-65 helicopter crew from the Port Angeles Coast Guard station will perform a water rescue demonstration.
A bucket brigade contest is planned between law enforcement officers and firefighters.
A Navy explosive ordinance disposal team from Bremerton will display robotics,.
The Port Angeles Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will hold police dog demonstrations.
And the Seattle Seahawks Sea Gals will make an appearance, said Joe D’Amico, president of Security Services Northwest who began Unity of Effort 17 years ago.
Miss Fort Discovery
The 2015 Miss Fort Discovery, Justine Wagner, will be crowned during the picnic.
Wagner, 26, is a Sequim High School teacher and coach. She won the Miss Fort Discovery contest against four other competitors.
Representatives of city, county, state and federal agencies, and organizations will be at the event, along with private organizations involved in security, from patrol boat manufactures to security software, D’Amico said.
“Visitors can have a greater appreciation for what these first responders do to protect the community and nation,” he said.
Vendors will offer security products, disaster supplies and other items for first response, and there will be two free drawings, D’Amico said.
One drawing, with products donated by vendors and organizations taking part in the Unity of Effort, is open to first responders and members of participating agencies.
A second drawing, with items donated by the first responders and participating agencies, is open to the public.
Those items usually include T-shirts, coffee cups, caps, coins and similar items.
One of the highlights of the event will be a high-tech “convoy simulator,” a video-game-style system in which two operators, a driver and a turret gunner must defend against an attack. D’Amico said.
“You have to fire back and drive,” he said.
Other activities
There also will be children’s activities, such as arts and crafts, a jump house and “a straw toy find.”
Tours of helicopters and other first responder equipment will be offered to the public.
Participants also will include the State Patrol; Olympic National Park; Washington State Parks, U.S. Border Patrol; Port Townsend Police Department; Jefferson, Clallam, King and Kitsap county sheriff’s departments; Airlift Northwest; local fire districts; the U.S. Air Force; Marine Corps Security Forces; Bangor; Loomis Armored; and the Security Services Northwest anti-terrorism/force protection boat.
Vendors include Epic Firearms, Top Notch Tactical, Fort Discovery and Costco.
Recruiters from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines will be at the event to provide information to anyone who is interested in military service, D’Amico said.
RSVPs that provide the number in the party are requested.
To RSVP, email jen@ssnwHQ.com or fill out a form on www.fortdiscoveryUSA.com.
For more information, check the website or phone 877-876-4750.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
