7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Operation Lantern
Volunteers will be present at major intersections throughout the city, holding signs encouraging motorists to honk and turn on their lights in support of firefighters and police officers.
10:45 a.m. to noon
Pre-luncheon activities at Qwest Center Omaha.
Bands will play, children will wave miniature flags, firefighter musicians will play bagpipes as guests enter the convention center for a luncheon honoring first responders. An honor guard will salute those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Luncheon, Qwest Center Ballroom.
Organizers are planning for 1,600 guests, including about 150 firefighters and police officers. A flag flown at Ground Zero will provide a backdrop for the singing of the national anthem, a tribute video, and donor and volunteer recognitions.
Meanwhile, about 650 boxed lunches will be delivered to 24 fire stations, four police precincts, the mounted police unit, fire and police headquarters and the departments' training center.
To check availability of luncheon tickets, visit www.fireandpoliceappreciation.com
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Rescue and pursuit simulations and static displays, Qwest Center, Parking Lot D. See Special Operations, K-9, Narcotics and Rapid Deployment teams, as well as the Jaws of Life and an emergency helicopter. Defense tactics will be on display, as will a drunk-driving simulator, mobile command post, and bomb truck and robot. The fire department's static display includes a smoke trailer, hazmat truck, firetruck and firefighting gear.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Private Fun Night and Concert for families of firefighters and police officers. More than 3,500 are expected at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village.
Barry Zoob, co-coordinator with Mike West, said the “kindness of the business community was overwhelming” during organizers' efforts to secure donated items for the families' enjoyment.
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
