Community Safety Day on August 24

Lawrence – The City of Lawrence will host its annual Community Safety Day on August 24, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm. at Fire Station 40 in Lawrence.

Community Safety Day, which is free and open to the public, is an opportunity for residents from Lawrence and beyond to see up-close demonstrations of some of the state-of-the-art technology used by the city’s first responders to safeguard the community’s health and safety. Members of the Lawrence police and fire departments will also share their best safety tips and engage in a friendly head-to-head “suit-up” challenge to see who’s fastest at putting on all the required gear when they get the call to roll out. 

Some of the featured demonstrations include:

IU Health Mobile Stroke Unit. When someone’s having a stroke, every second matters. In 2021, the Journal of American Medicine reported that patients with acute stroke symptoms who receive treatment from a mobile stroke unit have significantly less disability 90 days later than patients who receive standard EMS treatment. IU Health’s Mobile Stroke Unit is the only one of its kind in Indiana and one of just 20 such units in the country; IU Health team members will demonstrate how the unit saves lives and share important information about stroke prevention and treatment.

PHI Air Medical Helicopter. PHI has been one of the nation's leading medical transport companies for 40 years and boasts an outstanding record for safely transporting patients in need of lifesaving medical care. PHI was the first company of its kind to receive the Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award (the Lawrence Common Council recently adopted a “Vision Zero” resolution aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities) and has the highest safety rating in the industry.

Taser Demonstration. Members of the Lawrence Police Department will demonstrate the safe and effective deployment of Tasers on some very brave volunteers from the Lawrence Fire Department!

LFD vs. LPD “Suit Up” Challenge. Members of LPD’s S.W.A.T. unit will compete with Lawrence firefighters to see who can “suit up” and be ready to respond to an emergency the fastest! Attendees may be surprised to see just how much equipment our brave first responders have to wear when they get the call to roll out!

 The event will also feature a live DJ, food trucks, and booths from approximately 50 organizations and agencies such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, local churches, public health professionals, banks, and more.

Highlights of the event schedule are below.

WHEN:10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHAT: Bike Safety Demonstration & Education, LPD Drone Demonstration, IU Health Mobile Stroke Unit Demonstration & Education

WHEN: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

WHAT: PHI Helicopter Demonstration

WHEN: 11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.

WHAT: Taser Demonstration

WHEN: 12:20 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.

WHAT: LFD Ladder Rescue Demonstration

WHEN: 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

WHAT: LPD vs LFD “Suit Up” Challenge

WHERE: Lawrence Fire Station 40, 9530 E 59th Street, 46216