The City of Lawrence’s annual Community Safety Day returns, featuring safety demonstrations, information booths and a special “suit-up” challenge with police and fire personnel.
Community Safety Day will be held on August 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 40, 9530 E. 59th St. in Lawrence.
“Community Safety Day, which is free and open to the public, is an opportunity for residents of Lawrence and the surrounding area to see up-close demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies used by the city’s emergency responders to protect the health and safety of the public,” the city said in a press release.
Planned demonstrations include IU Health’s mobile stroke unit, which will demonstrate how the unit saves lives and provide information on stroke prevention and treatment.
“When someone has a stroke, every second counts,” the press release states. “In 2021, the Journal of American Medicine reported that patients with acute stroke symptoms treated by a mobile stroke unit were significantly less disabled 90 days later than patients who received standard care from emergency medical services.”
Members of the Lawrence Police Department will demonstrate the safe and effective use of Tasers to Lawrence Fire Department volunteers, the release said, and both departments will compete in the first “Suit Up” challenge of Community Safety Day starting at 1 p.m.
“Members of the LPD SWAT unit will compete with Lawrence firefighters to see who can ‘gear up’ the fastest and be ready to respond to an emergency,” the press release said. “Participants will be surprised at the amount of equipment our brave first responders must wear when they receive the call to respond.”
Other event offerings include a bicycle safety class for all ages to practice their skills, a limited number of free bicycle helmets courtesy of the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority, drones and a demonstration by PHI Air Medical Helicopter, a medical transport company.
The event will feature a live DJ, food trucks and booths from about 50 organizations and entities such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, local churches and public health professionals.
