ALFRED – Two police officers, a Maine legislator, a school district superintendent and a fire chief stood together in front of two large pieces of equipment used in law enforcement operations Friday and had a conversation.

They were at an open house for public officials and first responders at the York County Emergency Management Agency, held on the grounds of the county government building in Alfred.

The conversation ranged from how the York County Special Response Team operates, to school security in rural districts and ideas on how to build legislative support.

They were making connections.

That, said York County Emergency Management Agency director Art Cleaves, is what is it all about.

“Part of this is to forge relationships, to make connections, bring entities together,” said Cleaves.

The event featured displays by the county EMA agency, the American Red Cross, Pine Tree Search and Rescue, the York County Animal Response Team, the Biddeford- Saco Haz-Mat Team, ham radio operators, drone operators, the Maine Army National Guard and a host of others.

One of the groups, the York County Special Response Team, was on hand with a display which included the two large pieces of equipment most recently seen during a law enforcement operation in downtown Saco a couple of weeks ago.

The big beige machines are called MRAPs in the military, said Sanford Police Officer Chad Allen, a member of the York County Special Response Team, which is made up of officers from several municipalities and York County Sheriff’s Office.

MRAP stands for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, a tactical vehicle used by the nation’s military. The SRT team obtained the two MRAPs free as military surplus.They’re used as a protective shield that allows officers to get close in a dangerous a situation, said Allen, and victims rescued from harm can be ushered safely inside.

Out on the field, Jezebel, a 13-year-old Yorkie, Chihuahua cross was hanging out with the York County Animal Response Team and reveling in the attention she was getting as folks stopped by to check out the operation.

The helicopter from the Maine Forest Service drew big crowds – as did the York Fire Department’s SMART truck, where members grilled burgers and more for hungry attendees and vendors.

Don Lagace, assistant adjutant-general of the Maine Army National Guard was among those stopping by. If there was a disaster in York County that required a response by the guard, Lagace would be the one to coordinate the operation, he said.

“I’m here to meet people, to make connections,” said Lagace.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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