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The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office hosted a “Hometown Heroes” event for the community Saturday at the Southern Middle Tennessee Pavilion grounds in a format meant to promote a positive relationship between area residents and the emergency-service personnel who stand guard over their safety.

Many of Franklin County’s first responders, including law enforcement, firemen, Emergency Management Agency & Rescue personnel, and other agencies, resources and organizations involved in public safety, participated in the free event.

The experience not only allowed the community to come out and meet their hometown heroes in person, but it also aided in increasing awareness of the emergency-related services available in the area.

The event had many booths that were interactive, and a mix of educational, informative and fun activities were held for the public to enjoy.

The Sheriff’s Office added a little friendly competition into the mix with a few events where the public could vote on the Best in Show in a variety of categories.

The winning agency walked away with a trophy, and in exchange for voting, the citizen participants were entered into a raffle for multiple prizes, including a barbecue grill and children’s bicycles, which had been donated by Home Depot and Walmart.

The categories in the competition included Best in Show Patrol Vehicle, Best in Show Ambulance, Best in Show Fire Truck and Best in Show Wrecker, respectively won by the Sheriff’s Office, A&E Emergency Services Inc., the Decherd Fire Department and Ikard Towing.

There were multiple stations designated to entertain youths, such as a free dunk tank, a bounce house, a unicorn from Bits and Pieces and more. Of course, adults enjoyed the axe-throwing booth and local food trucks.

Some of the interactive stations that the public could visit included a mock DUI-crash demonstration, a state-resource booth, several first responder vehicles and even a LIFE FORCE Air Medical helicopter. A search-and-rescue K-9 demonstration also took place to show that animals such as dogs can also be hometown heroes.

While the event was fun and meant to be an easygoing interaction, real life never stops. Several agencies had to depart from the event to respond to an emergency incident.

Those who attended the event said they could more thoroughly put into perspective how conditions can change in an instant, and the public can count on their first responders to be on the scene and ready to take immediate action.