SMU police and firefighters host community night
An October 6 event featured mock dorm fires, barbecue, and family activities to strengthen local safety ties.
By Arjun Weber ·
Law enforcement and fire crews in University Park gathered on Oct. 6 to demonstrate emergency response capabilities and connect with residents. The annual National Night Out event focused on building relationships between public safety officers and the communities they serve.
The tradition began in 1984 and now takes place in thousands of communities across all 50 states. While most of the country hosts the event in August, Texas observes it in October to accommodate cooler weather. This year, the celebration landed on the first Tuesday of the month.
A central feature of the night involved University Park firefighters demonstrating how quickly a fire can spread. They ignited a mock dormitory filled with trash, crumpled papers, and an unmade bed. The initial small blaze rapidly engulfed the structure. A second fire, contained by a sprinkler head, remained small. Fire marshal Marty Corn noted that sprinklers are standard equipment in all SMU campus buildings.
Glen Owens, a 2026 SMU graduate, watched the demonstration and agreed to follow the fire marshal's advice to exit immediately in the event of a fire. He described the speed at which the room was devastated as a key lesson for residents.
SMU police sergeant Debbie Hardin, who supervises day shift patrol, explained the department's goal. "Sometimes we just see people on their worst day," she said. "We don’t just want to answer calls when something bad has happened. We also want to support them on a daily basis."
The event included barbecue food, cheerleading performances, and raffle prizes. SMU's pony mascot, Peruna, played rock, paper, scissors with children. Mason McCallum allowed his 2-year-old son, Jason, to sit in the driver's seat of a fire truck. McCallum said the hands-on experience helps his son associate public safety officers with positive interactions, noting his wife is a nurse.
Jessie Farberg brought her four children to explore the equipment. "These guys are in love with fire trucks," Farberg said. She described the event as a perfect opportunity for her kids to learn about fire safety and meet the crews. Hardin said the department will continue community outreach through other programs, including the Blue Goes Pink 5K and Community Safety Fair.
