Back to School Safety Fair provides the opportunity to learn about public safety resources
The Back to School Safety Fair each year allows families and students new to the community to meet with first responders and learn about public safety resources in Douglas County.
The safety fair is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. August 17 at South Park, 1141 Massachusetts Street. The event is co-hosted by the Lawrence Police Department, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence Parks and Recreation and Douglas County Emergency Management. Several other community agencies are scheduled to attend and offer information about safety and health.
“We look forward to being able to meet community members and answer any questions they have about public safety resources in the community and talk to them about the work we do every day,” Sheriff Jay Armbrister said. “We hope this setting gives people a chance to learn about health and safety resources in the community in a low-pressure and fun setting.”
At the fair, expect to see a variety of services and activities for families. The park will be filled with first responder vehicles from:
- Lawrence Police Department
- Douglas County Sheriff's Office
- Lawrence and Douglas County Fire Department
- Douglas County Emergency Management
In addition, you can expect to find:
- Activities for kids
- FREE Bicycle helmet giveaway
- Bicycle safety games
- Lawrence Police Department's Armored Rescue Vehicle
- Lawrence Transit – 40-foot bus
- First Student school bus
- Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health Mobile Vaccination Unit
- Douglas County Emergency Management's "Wheel of Misfortune"
- Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Smoke Trailer
- Impairment goggles challenge course from Kansas Traffic Safety and DCCCA
- Car seat checks
- Food trucks
“For us, the best accidents are the ones that we prevent, and we’d much rather interact with our community at a fun event like this,” said Fire Chief Rich Llewellyn of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.
School supply drive
As in past years, the fair will also include the “Cram the Cruiser” school supply drive. Lawrence Police, the Fire Medical Department and the Sheriff’s Office will each have vehicles to fill with school supply donations, which will benefit area students. Donors can bring supplies to the fair and “vote” for which agency they want to win the contest by putting their donations in that agency’s SUV.
Learn more about the Community Safety Fair at lawrenceks.org/safety-fair.
George Diepenbrock is the Public Information Officer with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
