NASCAR fans turned out in droves, Sunday, braving the rain for the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway. For many people, it was a brand new experience, but for local police and fire departments, the race is something they prepare for each year.
"We bring in people from outside the county, along with ourselves," said Scott Damon, Fire Chief of the Cambridge Township Fire Department. "We have about 18 fire apparatuses and we go through all the parking lots and around the track."
The fire departments usually look for common problems like falling, cardiac arrests and people who are having trouble breathing. Over a month of dry weather also forced them to watch out for grass fires, this year.
According to Michigan State Police Lieutenant, Mike Krumm, the challenge is more about dealing with problems going to and from the race.
"The things we are always looking for are driving while intoxicated", said Krumm. "We want people to have fun, but we certainly don't want people who have been drinking behind the wheel."
To help them with patrols, the State Police also brought in units from across Southern Michigan, as well as used helicopters to patrol from the air.
