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.

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.

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

“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.”

“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!”