On April 29th and 30th, the Special Services Fair took over Arroyo Grande High School’s blacktop and quad. Students flocked to these spaces not only to check out the helicopter and fire trucks parked on campus, but to also learn about the professions that protect the community.
“It’s great to engage with our community and our kids—who are looking at their next step in their lives—and they’re getting ready to graduate, and they maybe want some guidance or are interested in different professions,” Sheriff’s Deputy Brody Evans said. “[The Special Services Fair] is a good way to gain exposure to the multiple different agencies here. So, it’s good to connect to the youth and give them a little glimpse as to what we do.”
At the Special Services Fair, Evans helped manage the Special Enforcement Detail’s booth. Representatives like Evans educated curious students on their unique professions.
“[The Special Enforcement Detail] typically responds to barricaded subjects, high risk search warrants, [and] hostage situations,” Evans said. “Any kind of event that kind of rises to the level that’s above the skill set of a regular patrol deputy.”
Evans was inspired by his dad’s involvement in law enforcement. Others, such as California Highway Patrol officer Chance Chapman, had other reasons.
“I grew up playing sports, and I actually had a career in sports,” Chapman said. “[When] that was over, I wanted to maintain a [sports-like] career. And, actually, the CHP has that type of atmosphere where we’re a team.”
Overwhelmingly, officers like Chapman and Evans wanted to help their community.
“Typically, when people call law enforcement it’s because they’re in a crisis that they can’t handle themselves, so they’re seeking the assistance of an outside source that can help them,” Evans said. “So any time that we can respond and resolve a situation, that’s gratifying.”
Special service jobs are high risk and high stress. Since an emergency can happen at any time, these first responders need to be prepared to act quickly.
“In our profession, when the bell goes off and it’s 2 o’clock in the morning, we have to jump out of bed, have those wheels rolling on that engine within two minutes, and go to a call where it might even be threatening to our [lives] and mitigate that hazard,” firefighter Tim Price said.
Despite the dangers, first responders find fulfillment in high risk situations because of the lives they are able to save.
“I think it’s honorable that in our community, people look to us, especially when their life or their property is on the line,” Price said.
The career fair gave these officers and firefighters the opportunity to pass on the honor to a new generation.
“The [students] that are interested in the profession or the career, have some really good questions and being able to meet the next generation of people that are inspired to serve their community and help others, it’s cool to see,” firefighter Matt Hinden said.
Not only did the first responders educate students about their unique professions, but they also provided important advice.
“Once you graduate from high school, never take your foot off of the gas pedal of life,” Price said. “I’ve been out of high school for 40 years, and I haven’t slowed down one bit.”
