VICTORVILLE — First responders turned out in force Sunday afternoon, but not to perform life-saving rescues or battle wildfires.
Instead, they took part in Mercy Air's 30th anniversay celebration at Hook Park, which featured a backdrop of the medical transport service's impressive helicopters.
The event drew personnel from several agencies, including fire departments from Victorville, San Bernardino County, and Kern County, Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol, and employees of local hospital emergency room and intensive care units. Including employees and and former employees of Mercy Air, the private celebration drew more than 350 people.
Noting the number of emergency workers on hand, some of those attending said they "have never seen anything like this before," said Mark Driscoll, spokesman for Mercy Air.
He said helicopters that serve Mercy Air bases in Victorville, Barstow, Hesperia, Big Bear, Ridgecrest and Loma Linda Medical Center were on display at different times during the day. Refereshments were served, a raffle with a prize of a stay in Las Vegas and helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon was held, and drones took photos of the event from the air.
A citation issued by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors commemorated the anniversary and contributions Mercy Air has made to medical transportation in the area.
Driscoll said the images would be posted on social media.
Mercy Air began operations out of the Rialto Municipal Airport in 1989.
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