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Families learn valuable safety tips at Community Day

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Public safety took center stage Saturday in Pike Township.

The fire department and IMPD Northwest District police officers worked together to host their annual Community Day.

Each year the event kicks off Fire Prevention Week, but this year in particular there was a focus on building relationships between first responders and the public.

Football, fun and a little education was a combination mom Jasmine Mosley couldn’t resist.

“Activities that will keep them very fit and show them how to have good health,” she said.

She’s one of a few thousand people who came through the public safety Community Day hosted at the Colts practice facility.

“I think the event is great, a lot of vendors here teaching them about safety and they get to meet the different police officers and see the fire trucks,” she said.

This was the 15th year for Pike Township Fire Department and IMPD Northwest District to join forces in the name of safety education.

“It’s just an excellent opportunity for police and fire to get to meet all the kids that are in our area and interact with them, it’s an incredible event,” Pike Township Fire Dept. Deputy Chief Chris Bachman said.

“We had some of the officers throwing some footballs out to the kids, some of the firemen doing the same, it’s great to see them out being active,” IMPD NW District Sgt. Richard Stratman said.

St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital hosted a live CPR demonstration with Pike Township High School football players.

And nearly 70 booths were set up with more learning opportunities.

“Information on the fire side about smoke detectors, testing your batteries, information about having an escape route out of your home, gun safety,” Bachman said, “We have several hospitals here doing health screenings.”

And just for fun, police and fire competed in a 40 yard dash, which the fireman won by a nose.

They said events like that are important to humanize those in uniform.

“To have the community work hand-in-hand with law enforcement and even fire, EMS, it’s essential to what we do,” Stratman said, “We need the help from the community and it’s great to have the kids enthusiastic to be around police and fire.”

Kids who attended the event could also get fitted for a free bike helmet.