First Responders Appreciation Picnic planned for July 16

FAIRFIELD — A cookout will be held this summer to honor public safety officials in Jefferson County.

A group of residents has come together this year to plan a picnic in what they hope will be an annual tradition. The public is invited to attend the inaugural First Responders Appreciation Picnic on Saturday, July 16 from 4-7 p.m. at Maasdam Barns in Fairfield.

There is no charge to attend, and the committee planning the event will accept a goodwill offering. Money raised at the cookout will go toward the community’s first responder organizations.

Lee Dimmitt spoke about the picnic during the Fairfield City Council meeting Monday, inviting the council members to attend and show their support for the area’s police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, dispatchers, jailers and ambulance staff.

Dimmitt told The Union that he, Marshan Roth and other members of the committee are meeting this week with Farm Bureau, which has agreed to sponsor the event. Jefferson County Cattlemen and Jefferson County Pork Producers will provide the meals. The committee is planning to serve 250 meals.

Dimmitt said the idea behind the picnic is to honor first responders, and to have members of the public get to know them in a non-emergency situation.

“These are our friends and neighbors who come to our rescue, but we don’t know them,” he said. “These folks put their life on the line every day for us. When we need an ambulance, they’re there. This is an opportunity for people to meet them when they’re not in need.”

Dimmitt said the event is not political, just an opportunity for the public to meet and greet first responders.

“This is important to me personally because many of these people are my friends, and they don’t get the recognition they deserve,” Dimmitt said.

Dimmitt said that, for some people, their first interaction with a law enforcement officer is when they get caught speeding. He wants the public to know that public safety officials are people with families that are part of the community.

“There’s no excuse for not knowing these folks we call on in a time of need,” he said.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com