Heroes & Hamburgers proceeds to pay for computers
Family friendly Heroes & Hamburgers will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Simple Pleasures Events Center in the Bella Vista Highlands.
Organizers of the local festival Heroes & Hamburgers have announced that all net proceeds from the event will be donated to the Bella Vista Foundation for the purchase of computer systems for the city’s first-responder vehicles.
With the event funds, the city will move closer to raising the $204,000 needed to purchase and install the systems in city vehicles.
“We are thrilled that we will be able to contribute to such a powerful cause,” said Ken Miner, owner of Simple Pleasures and longtime Bella Vista resident.
The event is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 18 at Simple Pleasures.
According to Bella Vista Police Chief Ken Farmer, the computer systems will be a ruggedized laptop with a cellular modem and GPS receiver. The corresponding software will include mapping technology that plots the vehicles on a map in real time, a mobile version of dispatch and reporting software with messaging between cars. It also will include accident-reporting software that has the ability to scan drivers’ licenses and vehicle registration and can access state and federal crime information systems.
“The systems will increase speed and efficiency for dispatch while enhancing officer safety,” said Farmer, who plans to give residents a look at the computers at Heroes & Hamburgers. “Officers will be able to run checks on individuals and get the returns directly with photographs and information that is otherwise restricted from radio broadcast. They will know immediately if safety issues exist and be able to take precautions.”
Along with first-responder safety and work efficiency, the main benefit to the new technology is resident safety. According to city officials, the Bella Vista community will be a safer place when police and fire/EMS crews are able to respond to emergencies faster.
“Time is the most valuable thing when there are emergencies,” Farmer said.
Fire Chief Steve Sims agrees.
“Sometimes arriving mere seconds earlier would prevent a smoke inhalation death,” Sims said. “Just a couple of minutes can mean saving a family’s memories or the total destruction of their home. And ambulance response time is certainly the difference between life and death with heart attack victims. In my opinion, one life saved is certainly worth the investment in these computers.”
While admission to Heroes & Hamburgers is free, funds are being raised through event sponsorships, which are currently for sale. So far, many area businesses and individuals have signed on as sponsors, and those interested in purchasing a sponsorship are encouraged to visit heroesandhamburgers.com or to contact Ken Miner at ken@ simplepleasures.us.
Both purposeful and fun, Heroes & Hamburgers will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Simple Pleasures Events Center in the Bella Vista Highlands The family-friendly event will include live classic rock music, wood-fired cheeseburgers, hayrides, drug-dog demonstrations and vehicle and equipment exhibitions by police, fire and EMS crews. Along with celebrating local heroes, the festival is designed to allow adults and kids to meet and interact with first-responders, who will be participating in the activities throughout the day.
Simple Pleasures is at 13718 Rothbury Dr. From the Intersection of Arkansas Highways 340 and 279, go west through the Highlands’ gate, travel approximately 3 miles on Highlands Boulevard to the right turn onto Rothbury Drive. The events center is on the left.
For more information, visit www.heroesandhamburgers.com.