Second Alarmers Carnival Begins Tonight

Thrill rides, games, food and live entertainment will be on hand starting tonight as the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad ushers in its spring carnival.

Such family-friendly attractions include a merry-go-round to more thrilling "Gravitron" and "Ring of Fire."

According to a press release, a new helicopter ride called the "Cloud Buster" combines high-flying fun and technology.

And, while the carnival is set to provide fun for the entire family, it is also a valuable outreach event for the EMS organization, which provides emergency response to residents of Hatboro, Jenkintown, Rockledge, Abington, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland and Whitpain.

“Second Alarmers is hosting the first carnival of the summer season for a number of reasons,” Renee Bates, Second Alarmers newly appointed executive director, said in an e-mail. “One of the most important is to educate the community about exactly what EMS is, and how we provide emergency service.”

Bates said, amid the rides and attractions, information booths about the ambulance squad and its life-saving services will be spread throughout the carnival, which will be located at Cresmont Park in Abington.

According to Bates, funds raised during the carnival will go toward purchasing Life Pack heart-monitor equipment and defibrillators, as well as supporting much-needed station renovations at the Second Alarmers main station in Willow Grove. Renovations were undertaken at the Second Alarmers Hatboro station in 2011. 

Bates said the carnival is a way for the public to help the EMS mission of Second Alarmers, as their participation may one day save the lives of their neighbors – or even their own.

“People should bring their families to the carnival simply to have a good time and enjoy time with their family and community,” Bates said. “By coming to the carnival, they could become a ‘link’ in the chain of survival and help us save lives.”

If you go

The Second Alarmers Rescue Squad carnival will be held May 8-12 at Crestmont Park, Reservoir Avenue and Old Welsh Road in Abington. Free parking is available at the Willow Grove Park Mall, across Welsh Road. The carnival begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, visit www.sars.org/carnival.