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City of Fort Walton Beach is hosting a Public Safety Open House this weekend

The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department and Police Department are hosting their Annual Public Safety Open House on Saturday, February 27, 2021, from 10am-2pm. The free event will be held at Chester Pruitt Park on Harbeson Ave. NE, located next to Fire Station 6 and the Police Department on Hollywood Boulevard SE (5 Hollywood Boulevard SE […]

Fort Walton Beach Fire Department at a previous Public Safety Open House

The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department and Police Department are hosting their Annual Public Safety Open House on Saturday, February 27, 2021, from 10am-2pm.

The free event will be held at Chester Pruitt Park on Harbeson Ave. NE, located next to Fire Station 6 and the Police Department on Hollywood Boulevard SE (5 Hollywood Boulevard SE and 7 Hollywood Boulevard SE, respectively).

According to a press release, the event will follow CDC COVID-19 recommendations for events and gatherings.

Fort Walton Beach Fire Department at a previous Public Safety Open House

What that means: Masks should be worn when social distancing is not possible.

What you can expect: Firefighters and police officers will share public safety information and education activities in a safe, family-friendly and fun environment. The public will see a live vehicle extrication (Jaws of life) and fire sprinkler demonstration (live burn) by the Fire Department, and a K-9 demonstration by the Police Department. Displays include a fire truck, the SWAT truck, police vehicles and a fire safety house.

Fort Walton Beach Fire Department at a previous Public Safety Open House

Food and drinks will be provided FREE to the public that includes popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and a pulled pork sandwich lunch.

Fort Walton Beach Police Department at a previous Public Safety Open House

“We all look forward to this open house event every year. It has become a favorite among our residents,” said Fort Walton Beach Fire Chief Ken Perkins. “This year will be a little different with the Pandemic affecting us, but we will still be able to share public safety information and get to know the people we serve. We hope to see everyone on February 27.”

Fort Walton Beach Police Department at a previous Public Safety Open House doing a K9 Demo

“The Police Department is grateful to partner with the Fire Department to collaborate on this great community event,” said Chief Robert Bage, Fort Walton Beach Police Department. “This event will allow us to show the residents more of our departments’ partnerships and collaborations, as we do routinely work together on calls. We are always looking at ways to actively engage the community.”

“At events like this, the public has the opportunity to interact with our officers and ask them questions that they may not otherwise think to ask during a call or have the opportunity to ask,” continued Chief Bage. “This gives us an opportunity to better respond to the community and hear their thoughts and needs so we can better serve the community. We’ve been limited on engagement opportunities this past year so we are really excited to introduce our new Community Policing Officers that we have hired to the public this weekend!”

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Community Comments

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“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
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