Chamber plans new safety-focused event

Moorcroft Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) member Elaine Buckmiller visited Moorcroft’s council Monday night to share a new event the group plans to initiate this summer.

June 4 is the tentative date for Safety Day and the chamber has already contacted several entities including the fire and ambulance departments, utilities, police, forest service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), asking them to set up booths down town on that day.

They hope to address first-time homeowners, too, Buckmiller told the governing body. People who sometimes do not know what to ask are sometimes surprised when they hear answers to questions about their gas and electric shut-off points.

Children will also benefit as the volunteer firemen will dress in bunker gear to show them what they will see if there’s a fire in their home and “children aren’t scared to see this yellow monster coming at them and hide under the bed”.

Chamber members are approaching local businesses along Big Horn Avenue, said Buckmiller, asking them to “put some skin in the game, showcase their business so people are aware of what Moorcroft has to offer”. She later added, “It’s a way for the chamber to bring people out to show them that even in a small town, we can have things to offer for somebody to move in here”.

In these early days, the group is still working on a way to encourage guests to visit the businesses in town and Buckmiller mentioned the possibility of giving prizes of chamber bucks to be used as cash in any of the local establishments.

Blakeman Propane is already on board, willing to teach with their existing program regarding the safe way to filling, transporting and storing propane bottles because many people do not recognize the risk of handling this gas/liquid combustible under pressure.

Buckmiller has been speaking to the electric, phone and gas companies about advertizing their services and offers during Safety Day. She also asked the council keep Town Hall open to cover fees and permits if necessary.

She hopes to get permission from BNSF to show an actual vehicle that was hit by a train and is currently used for safety demonstration purposes throughout the state.

The chamber has gotten permission from the owners of the lots between Town Hall and the Post Office to set up the hub of the activities there in June.

Buckmiller explained that this event is not meant to be annual, rather, the camber will host Safety Day on a discretionary schedule.

The council asked Buckmiller to keep them advised of progress as the opening gets closer