Fire trucks, first responders and safety gear filled the Walmart parking lot in Elizabeth on June 18, but there was no emergency. It was not even a drill. They gathered for the Elbert County Sherriff’s Office’s 2016 Summer Safety Fair & Bicycle Rodeo.

Vendors demonstrated safety and security products, private and public healthcare providers offered service options, and first responders from neighboring Rattlesnake Fire Department and the Castle Rock Police Department took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the community.

Returning for another year was the sheriff’s office’s Simulated Impaired Driving Experience vehicle, a two-person electric go-cart that simulates impaired or distracted driving.

In addition to safety demonstrations, youngsters were given the opportunity to test their knowledge of the road in the Bicycle Rodeo. The driving course laid out in the Walmart parking lot simulated conditions they might encounter as they ride.

“The kids can ride the safety course on the peddle carts or their own bicycles,” said Lt. Troy McCoy of the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office. “Coaches help the kids learn what to do.”

Another big draw was the arrival of Air Life’s helicopter. Two flight nurses and the aircraft’s pilot were on hand all morning to answer questions and explain the capabilities of the EMS helicopter.

Brad Basham is based at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree and has been a flight nurse for the past five years. He began as an emergency medical technician and worked as an emergency room and an intensive care nurse for five years before joining the Air Life crew.

Basham says he as seen a lot in his time responding to emergencies, but will not say that he has seen it all.

“Just when you say that, there’ll be something new,” he said. “We want to be ready for anything.”

The Bell 407 helicopter he crews is capable of providing emergency services to patients as far away as 150 miles from the hospital, is equipped as an emergency room and can function as a temporary ICU while transporting patients.

In addition to the seriousness of public safety, there were jump castles, free iced slushes and the opportunity to drop deputies in a dunk tank.

The Summer Safety Fair & Bicycle Rodeo is in its seventh year and was inspired by a similar event in Littleton attended by Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap.