Some calls that Hall County firefighters respond to can have such a powerful effect on the men and women in uniform that they feel compelled to do something to make a difference.
That was the case on Sept. 13 when units from Hall County Fire Station 15 responded to a bicycle accident involving a child who was not wearing a helmet. The child hit a tree and was flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for head trauma.
“If that child was wearing a helmet, the result could have been completely different,” Hall County Fire Services Lt. John Tucker said. “Station 15 personnel were so affected by that call that they decided to put together a helmet giveaway to hopefully decrease the chances that something like this happens again.”
Station 15 personnel, along with Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County and the Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office, will be giving away helmets to kids ages 5-10 while supplies last at North Hall Community Center on Monday, Nov. 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Children must be present so that they can be properly fitted for a helmet.
“According to Safe Kids’ website, universal helmet use among children ages 14 and under would prevent as many as 300 deaths per year and as many as 529,000 injuries,” Tucker said. “We want to do our part to make that statistic become a reality.”
North Hall Community Center is located at 4175 Nopone Road in Gainesville. For more information, call 770-219-8095.