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NIGHT OUT , from Page 1 community — that is key the quality of life in Hammonton .
“ This event is to show that we ’ re human , and that we ’ re not just against everybody , that there is a positive light to us … The common thread with both departments is the love and respect for the community . We want our friends , neighbors and family to be safe ,” Hammonton Police Capt . Mark
Fiorentino said .
Fiorentino co-organized the event with Hammonton Police Officer Charles Sbarra III , Mary Young , Jeff Young and Tricia Donio . For many months out of the year , the committee devises ways to improve National Night Out and ways to add more fun to the process of bridging the gap between civilians and local first responders .
Much like any police matter Fiorentino handles in his line of work , he said facilitating National Night Out is a yearly collaborative effort that relies on the hard work of individuals from varying professional backgrounds , especially local firefighters and emergency medical technicians .
“ When you ’ ve got something going on — an active scene — everybody works together to get it done . I can only do so much . They take up the rest of it … Without them , without us together , we couldn ’ t clear a scene ,” Fiorentino said about Hammonton ’ s first responders that attended National Night Out .
Hammonton Fire Chief Sean Macri was among Fiorentino ’ s colleagues who attended National Night Out . Macri said both of Hammonton ’ s independent volunteer fire companies were well-represented during the event , and all enjoy attending it every year because of the friendly competition it allows the departments to engage in , whether it be the yearly buffalo wing-eating contest , the “ Shoots and Ladders ” tug-of-war , or the inaugural mechanical bull-riding competition .
“ We all have to work together , and if we can ’ t work together , we ’ re obviously not going to be able to play together . If everyone sees that we can step up and we can
Wednesday , August 15 , 2018 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Hundreds attend annual National Night Out uptown
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compete friendly with the police department and then we ’ re all talking and hanging out afterwards , they kind of get the feeling that , ‘ Oh , OK , they really are here , all together , to help us ,’” Macri said .
Hammonton ’ s National Night Out , whose primary sponsor was local company Universal Supply Co ., also provided entertainment with a live K-9 demonstration from the police department , appearances from the Philadelphia Phillies ’ fanfavorite mascot , the Phillie Phanatic ; a New Jersey State Police helicopter showcase , more than 40 vendors that set up a wide range of activities , exhibitions and information stations , and a fireworks display that was organized by professional fireworks company Pyrotecnico .
Young and her fellow National Night Out committee members take pride in the number of attractions offered at Hammonton ’ s version of the event relative to other communities that host it every August .
“ I think people look forward to it every year . We get a lot of hits on our Facebook , and people get excited about what we ’ re going to do this year — if we ’ re going to change it up . So , that ’ s why we keep adding the competitions . I think they look forward to that ,” Young said .
Donio said it ’ s a flattering experience to see the outcome of everyone ’ s organizational efforts materialize on the night of the event , which she said has vastly improved over the past six years and is now a welcomed occasion for the community and its first responders .
“ The community that comes out to support it is really what ’ s most important . Looking back at the first year , and learning all the mistakes that we made and growing from it , it definitely makes me happy because I think it ’ s something for the police department to really be proud of . And now , the fire department ,” Donio said .
In order to further express gratitude to the fire department , Hammonton ’ s National Night Out began with an opening ceremony , during which Atlantic County Fifth District Freeholder James A . Bertino presented Macri with two certificates of recognition for the service provided by each of Hammonton ’ s volunteer fire companies .
“ We wanted to recognize you guys on the service you do for our town . Thank you again on the sixth Hammonton [ National ] Night Out for your care , compassion , devotion and protecting the residents of our community ,” Bertino said .
Fiorentino also gave a presentation to the fire department during the opening ceremony by paying tribute to late Hammonton Fire
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