**Updated from original Sept. 29 post**
According to Knightdale’s Chief of Police, Lawrence R. Capps, “Given the threat of rain and gusty winds this weekend, we are rescheduling Public Safety Day for October 22nd. The event details will remain intact, and will be hosted at the Public Safety Complex from 10am-2pm.”
The Town of Knightdale Fire and Police Department is preparing for the annual Public Safety Day on Saturday, October 22, 2016 — rescheduled from Oct. 8 — from 10am to 2pm. This free event brings responders and residents together for the day, with fire education, safety lessons, and more provided by the local fire and police department.
Public Safety Day is a joint effort involving the Knightdale Fire Department, Eastern Wake EMS, and the Knightdale Police Department. The event will also feature representatives from the NC Wildlife and Forestry Services and members of Wake Med’s Critical Care Unit. Knightdale’s Fire Chief, Tim Guffey, and his staff have spearheaded this event, preparing and organizing this fun, educational day.
The event is an official kickoff to National Fire Prevention Week, and includes reminders to adults to check their smoke detector batteries, among other things. Activities start at 10am at the Public Safety Building, 967 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, North Carolina.
The Fire and Police Stations are holding Open House events, giving people of all ages a chance to see their bases of operations and discuss what they do.
Firefighters will be on hand to answer questions, educate, and conduct demonstrations.
A variety of public education material will also be available for children and adult participants. The following activities are scheduled for Public Safety Day:
- Kids Activities — Dunking booth, inflatable, and instruction.
- Live Fire Demonstrations — There will be smoke!
- Equipment Displays — Check out the trucks and responder vehicles.
- Safety Demonstrations
- Vehicle Extrication Demonstration — Don’t miss it!
- Fire Department “Smoke House”
The Fire Department will be conducting live fire and rescues demonstrations! They will also be holding a clinic on the proper use of fire extinguishers.
Knightdale Police officers will be monitoring a drunk driving simulation designed to educate participants on the hazards and dangers associated with impaired driving.
The Police Department will also have a variety of goodies and public education material for attendees, and Police Department members will be available to answer questions about crime prevention and the community-oriented services offered by the department.
In the event dunking booth, participants will have the opportunity to dunk one of the Knightdale Police Department officers.
The Town of Knightdale Fire Department Fire Prevention program has an impressive puppet show program that they use for fire prevention programs. Puppet shows will be a part of Public Safety Day. The puppet pals cover important safety information — in a fun way — including:
- Stop, Drop, & Roll
- Crawl Low in Smoke
- Fire Drills
- Match Safety
- First Aid for Burns
- Fire: Good & Bad
- Reporting Fires
Says Chief of Police Lawrence R. Capps, “It’s a fun way for the kids hear important messages regarding fire prevention and safety. The puppets are always a big hit!”
This celebration is free and attendance is open — you don’t have to live in Knightdale to join in the fun.
Be sure to congratulate the Town of Knightdale Fire Department for the extraordinary grant to help the Town that the department was awarded in August 2016. The Fire Department was awarded a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant from the US Department of Homeland Security. The $343,000 in funding will bolster the fire department’s ability to better respond to emergencies and provide protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
Coming Soon: Knightdale Citizens Fire Academy
If you’re interested in Public Safety Day, perhaps you’d like to take part in the Citizens Fire Academy coming up in Knightdale NC. Attendees are given the chance to learn more about the professional and volunteer crews. The Citizens Fire Academy is free for Knightdale residents.
Registration closes on Friday, September 30, 2016, so time is short. Interested residents wishing to fill one of the few seats in the class should fill out this Town application and email it — since time is short — or for future Fire Academies, applications may be mailed to 967 Steeple Square Ct, Knightdale, NC 27545, c/o Chief Tim Guffey.
Citizens must be at least 18 years of age. All applicants must submit an application and sign a waiver (provided at the beginning of class) releasing the Town of Knightdale of any and all liability while participating in the Academy.
Classes will be held Mondays, 7-9pm, at the Town of Knightdale Fire Station, 967 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale NC.
The Citizens Fire Academy activities plan includes:
- October 10 — Introductions, Overview of Firefighters Activities
- October 17 — Inspections, Fire Prevention, Fire Investigations, and Car Seats
- October 24 — The Big Night: Time to train with the Fire Department
Residents with questions, call 919.217.2271 or email the Fire Prevention Group.
