By Mackenzie McClintock, SWFD Public Information Officer
Pancakes, bounce houses, fire engines, oh my! The South Walton Fire District hosted its annual Pancake Breakfast event on Saturday, October 7, in celebration of Fire Prevention Week. The event also included a birthday party theme, as the agency is celebrating its 40-year anniversary.
For $5, attendees enjoyed all-you-can-eat pancakes and plenty of family-friendly activities, such as a bounce house, face painting, sidewalk chalk stations, fire apparatus tours, and firefighter demonstrations.
“This event is all about connecting with our community in a non-emergency setting,” said SWFD Fire Marshal Sammy Sanchez. “Parents, children, and local officials enjoy fellowship with us and of course, delicious pancakes, which everyone loves. We could not have been happier with how the turnout was for this year.”
Based on the number of wristbands sold, SWFD estimates more than 500 people attended the event, which is the biggest crowd to date for the breakfast.
Year after year, the event also serves as an opportunity for personnel to educate residents related to the National Fire Protection Association’s designated Fire Prevention Week themes.
Educational opportunities include providing fire safety lessons for children, visits with the Fire Pup mascot, and handing out NFPA-themed items like coloring books. These interactions with the public allow the SWFD Fire and Life Safety Division to reach even the youngest of attendees with fire prevention information.
“The support for this year’s event was incredible, but reaching our residents and reminding them about fire safety is what truly makes the difference in the long run,” Sanchez said. “The money we raised will go back into our community as we use it to purchase fire prevention materials for kids and smoke alarms that we can give to those in need. Thank you to everyone who supported our event this year.”
Author: Sowal Editor
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