By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — The City of Olean Fire Department sure picked the right day for its Fire Truck Spray Event in War Veterans Park Wednesday afternoon.
The U.S. Weather Service reported it was 92 degrees in Olean by mid-afternoon with a “feels like” temperature of 104.
The moms and dads who brought their kids to the Fire Truck Spray Event at the blacktopped basketball courts seemed glad for the two-hour reprieve from the sweltering heat.
The kids splashed through standing water and ran toward the hose spraying downward from the fire department’s snorkel truck.
Others gathered by a ground-mounted hose to cool off. Nearby, Firefighter Jacob Parr was seated holding still another firehose. Children took turns aiming the hose.
An intermittent breeze blew spray from the hoses in different directions, sometimes getting people unexpectedly, but refreshingly wet.
Olean Fire Department Capt. Nate Veno and the firefighters assigned to the Fire Truck Spray Event were all smiles — just like the kids.
“Any time we can get a smile out of kids, it’s great for them and great for us and the community,” Veno said.
“It brings everyone together.”
Youth and Recreation Coordinator Kris Shewairy said, “There’s a great turnout — at least 500 people in the park.”
He added: “This is fantastic. There’s more people here than last year when it was just as hot. We may do this again this summer. It’s a great community event.”
Shewairy also thanked the Love Thy Neighbor group “for helping firefighters with refreshments for the kids.”
Ward 2 Alderman Joe Keary stopped by to speak with city officials and those attending the spray event. “I wanted to see the event,” he said. “This is great for the kids. The fire department is helping out.” With the heat, the timing could not have been better.
Keary handed his cellphone to Veno before walking across the spray area on the blacktop. He came back with wet clothes, but feeling refreshed, he said.
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