Manatee County To Host Safety Fest

BRADENTON, FL – Manatee County is pulling out all the stops for the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Public Safety Center.

Manatee County Public Safety Department will host Safety Fest, a family-friendly event, on Wednesday, May 3 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 2101 47th Terrace E., Bradenton. The event will start with an opening ceremony featuring Manatee County officials and the Manatee County Honor Guard.

“Ten years into the life of this building and we’re proud to have one of the top-notch public safety complexes in Florida, which houses a cutting-edge Emergency Operations Center and Regional Traffic Management Center,” said Bob Smith, the director of Public Safety. “We’re looking forward to show the folks exactly what goes into keeping the (residents) and visitors of the county safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

Public Safety’s six divisions – Animal Services, Emergency Communications Center, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Service, Marine Rescue and Community Paramedic – will be on hand during Safety Fest to talk about the services they provide the community.

There will be emergency vehicles on display, info booths and employees to meet with visitors. Animal Services will have adoptable dogs and information on licensing and responsible pet ownership.

Public Safety staff will offer public tours of the Publix Safety Complex. There will also be equipment displays, prize raffles, live music and local food trucks. Safe Kids Florida Suncoast, led by Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, will offer child car seat inspections.

A Kids Zone will feature a coloring contest, games and activities and the introduction of Public Safety’s new mascot, “Pepper the Prepper Puppy,” who will teach children about the importance of safety preparedness. Pepper will be available for a meet-and-greet and photos with children.

For more information, follow Manatee County Public Safety on Twitter, @mcpublicsafety and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ManateeCountyEmergencyManagement.

Image via the Manatee County Public Safety Facebook page