Coconut Creek Touch-A-Truck Brings Community Together

by David Volz April 12, 2026

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Courtney Russo and her son Teddy on a fire truck at touch a truck. {David Volz}

Teddy Russo got a taste of being a fire truck driver at age two. The truck was not moving, but he could pretend it was.

“He loves being in the fire truck, and this is an awesome experience,” said his mother, Courtney Russo.

The Coconut Creek Touch-A-Truck event at the Butterfly lot on April 11 brought families from across the community to explore an impressive display of work vehicles—from police cars and fire engines to rescue helicopters and construction machinery.

The Tropic Air Rescue helicopter was especially popular with families. Offering more than just a close-up look, it is used to transport sick or injured people from cruise ships or remote locations and includes a mobile intensive care unit. “This is a good event, and it allows people to see our helicopter close-up,” said Emilio Lopez, a flight paramedic.

Next to the helicopter, the Coconut Creek Fire Rescue Department also drew attention. Captain Frank Herrera was glad that families could meet with firefighters and see their vehicles. “This is a great community event, and I am glad so many people came today,” he said.

Touch a Truck event in Coconut Creek. {David Volz}

Dalton Edens, a firefighter-paramedic, shared similar enthusiasm for connecting with the community. “This is awesome, and I love being here,” he said.

At the event, the Coconut Creek police department allowed people to look inside its SWAT van, while children could sit in a police car and pretend to drive it. Additionally, they could try out the cab of a waste removal vehicle and sound its loud horn. Jeff Capek, the Goodyear Blimp’s chief pilot, showed people the blimp’s portable mooring device.

Families in front of a helicopter at the Touch-a-Truck event in Coconut Creek.

Commissioner Jackie Railey said, “This is a great community event, and I am glad to see people having a good time.”

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.