Public Safety Day events are community events where first responders and other local, state, and federal public safety agencies come together to interact and educate the public on safety and emergency preparedness.
Public Safety Day events are different than National Night Out events, which focus on crime prevention by having an organized community evening event. Public Safety Days are typically organized specifically to teach families about safety. By getting children familiar with different first responders, kids learn their role in keeping the community safe and how they respond in emergency situations. Public Safety Days teach vital information about fire safety, pool and water safety, bike safety, and emergency preparedness.
What Can You Expect at Public Safety Day Events
Community public safety agencies want children to be comfortable around first responders like firefighters, police officers, and EMTS, so that when an emergency occurs, they can understand that these people are here to help. Like Touch-a-Truck events, Public Safety Days typically have various equipment for children to climb in and explore. This usually includes fire trucks where you can learn about the various tools firefighters use in different emergencies, ambulances and the equipment they use to help patients either on site or on the way to the hospital, and police cars and how the police keep us safe.
Other vehicles you might see include school buses, helicopters, and tow trucks. Exploring these different vehicles also gives children the opportunity to ask questions and to learn by interacting and meeting with these different safety officials.
These safety events focus on teaching children to understand what first responders do and how to stay safe, but also how to respond in emergencies. Many age-appropriate learning materials are passed out to families including coloring books with safety information about calling 911, storm preparedness, bike safety, and water safety.
Child ID kits (an important tool law enforcement utilizes when a child goes missing) are sometimes distributed. Families can also learn about Smart 911, a free program using provided information from participants, so if 911 was ever called, the dispatch would have additional information to allow them to respond to the emergency faster.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations at Public Safety Day events could include a drone demonstration. Drones are being increasingly utilized by public safety officials, especially for search and rescue missions.
Other departments may give demonstrations of their vehicles, tools, and operations. You might see the fire department using various equipment, including the Jaws of Life, and different tools and saws to help dismantle smashed cars to show how first responders use equipment to rescue people who are trapped in their car following an accident.
Public Safety Day Events for 2024
Wondering where you can find a Public Safety Day near you? We’ve rounded up all the community events currently scheduled and will update this article as others are announced.
Plainfield
451 South Vestal Road, Plainfield
Saturday, June 8, 11 am-2 pm
Plainfield’s 4th Annual Public Safety Day will be on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Al and Jan Barker Sports Complex. This year’s event will feature the Plainfield Police Department (PPD), Plainfield Fire Territory, Hendricks County Communications Center, Plainfield Parks & Recreation, and other public safety personnel. There will also be demonstrations, including Plainfield Police Department K9s and the latest equipment from the Plainfield Fire Territory.
Explore different types of emergency equipment including SWAT vehicles. The event will also feature National Guard displays, and booths from various Hendricks County public safety partners offering information, giveaways, and more. A DJ will keep the energy high with music and live announcements throughout the event. There’s fun for all ages with bounce houses, hands-on activities, food trucks, a bike rodeo, and much more.
Indianapolis International Airport
3800 N Access Rd, Indianapolis
Friday, July 26, 3-6pm
Head out to the Airport Firehouse on Friday, July 26 from 3 to 6pm to see demonstrations, touch-a-truck, giveaways, Kid ID Kits, Ice Cream, and more!
Wayne Township
5805 Rockville Rd, Indianapolis
Saturday, August 10, 10 am-1 pm
This year, the Wayne Township will have its public safety day at the Sam’s Club parking lot located on Rockville Rd. This event will feature many different vendors and activities for children.
Carmel
11611 N Meridian Street, Carmel
Saturday, August 17, 9 am-1 pm
Carmel’s Public Safety Day on Saturday, August 17 will include a Touch-A-Truck area to get up close to different types of Emergency vehicles. For kids, there will also be a face painter, a fun inflatable slide, and a stage with music! They have many organizations signed up with informational booths and Food Trucks offering food and refreshments for purchase. The Police and Fire Departments will also be doing demonstrations.
Fishers
2 Municipal Drive, Fishers
Saturday, September 7, 8 am-12 pm
Fishers Public Safety Day this year will run in conjunction with the Fishers Farmers Market on Saturday, September 7 from 8 am to noon. Fishers Fire & Emergency Services will host a Safety Day that will include numerous local organizations as vendors, a bike rodeo, an extrication demonstration. There will also be a blood drive during the event. Children can also explore and sit in the fire trucks and spray water from a hose.
Take your vehicle-loving kid on a real train ride!
Learn more about our public safety officers with a visit to the FREE State Police Museum.
