Giant sprinkler helps Glencoe kick off public safety training series

Once a huge sprinkler was turned on, a small group quickly evolved into a bustling crowd for Glencoe’s public safety training on Tuesday evening at Duke Park.

The sprinkler was part of a demonstration by the Glencoe Public Safety Department, which will host a public training event every Tuesday in August, allowing children to interact with emergency vehicles and new equipment.

In the series opener Aug. 4, Glencoe officers lifted small children into a firetruck and police car, allowing them to turn on the lights and sirens. And sometimes, even parents hopped up into the front seat.

“Hello, hello, hello!” echoed through the park as the kids spoke into the squad car’s PA speaker.

Families posed for pictures in front of the giant wheel of a public works truck, while others sprinted through the sprinkler. Officers demonstrated how they put on their protective gear.

Children could be heard asking officers, “What’s this for?” and “Were you scared when you fought your first fire?”

Glencoe Lt. Matt Esposito said his favorite part of the event is the excitement on kids’ faces.  

“Kids get so excited about fire trucks and police cars,” Esposito said. “So anytime we get to interact with them and show them equipment and let them touch the stuff and play with it … a lot of times they don’t get to do that. … It’s just to see their faces and their excitement.”

Resident Samantha Dobrusin brought her two kids to the event after hearing about it in Glencoe’s newsletter. She said they’re interested in different careers and vehicles.

“The kids are excited about vehicles and jobs, and this gives them that interface that they wouldn’t otherwise have,” Dobrusin said.

In the first event, the department showed off its Turtle Sprinkler, intended for extinguishing electric-vehicle fires. With the growing number of electric vehicles in the area, Esposito said, it’s important to inform the public about the new device designed to keep the community safe.

On a warm August evening, however, the sprinkler served as a way to keep kids entertained and educated. 

The training series started in 2025 as a way to bring Glencoe’s Public Safety Department and community members together, said Sean Loughran, Glencoe Public Safety director. 

Because Glencoe has a smaller public safety department, it does not host a typical National Night Out like other communities. The weekly training series allows more community members to join in on the experience with flexible dates. 

Uniquely, Glencoe’s public safety officers are trained as certified police officers, firefighters and medical first responders. 

The public training allows local families to learn more about the interesting intersection of Glencoe’s first responders.

The event builds trust between families and officers, Esposito said. He said he often visits local elementary schools and many kids recognize him.

“I want someone to come to me, a kid to come to me, and say they trust me,” Esposito said. “I’m a trusting figure within the community to come to me with anything, especially if they need help.”

From a family perspective, Dobrusin had a similar sentiment.

“I think it builds a nice relationship between the community and the public safety department,” Dobrusin said. “Their doors are often open. They’re really friendly all the time, and it’s nice to be able to interact in this way.”

Three more training events remain, each one showcasing different equipment and trainings:
• 5-6 p.m. Aug. 11 at Woodlawn Park, 1050 Green Bay Road,
• 5-6 p.m. Aug. 18 at Astor Park, 640 Sunset Lane, and
• 5-6 p.m. Aug. 26 at Takiff Ballfields, 999 Green Bay Road.

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