By Mackenzie McClintock, SWFD Public Information Officer
While the first day of school often comes with nerves and anxious excitement for South Walton children and parents, their worries are quickly forgotten thanks to the friendly faces of local first responders welcoming them back to class.
South Walton Fire District (SWFD) held its 15th Annual Back-to-School Safe Driving Campaign from August 10-12, 2022, to connect with the community and remind motorists about the importance of practicing safe driving, especially in school zones.
“We started this campaign in 2007 to let drivers know kids would be back in school,” said SWFD Fire Marshal Sammy Sanchez. “This may be evident to our locals, but we still have a lot of tourists in town who are here on vacation in August. Both locals and tourists alike will be encountering school buses, children in crosswalks, and potentially more children riding bicycles for the rest of 2022. It’s incumbent upon all of us to remain aware of this school traffic and protect our local students with safe driving.”
To make the campaign successful in reaching multiple areas of South Walton County, SWFD firefighters park their apparatus near four local schools during the morning hours of school drop-off. Firefighters then greet commuters with a friendly wave and shake of brightly colored signs. The signs contain a safe driving message and reminder about SWFD’s presence in the community.
While these reminders are important, the campaign’s impact on local children during the start of a new school year has proven just as effective and worthwhile throughout the 15 years of its existence.
“We’ve spoken with many parents over the years who have told us that their kids were having back to school jitters,” Sanchez said. “Once they saw the firetrucks and the firefighters waving, it was almost like a sigh of relief for these children. This campaign isn’t just for the drivers, it’s also for the children. It’s very meaningful for them and that’s why we love to welcome them back. We want them to feel safe and to know we care.”
Despite the rainy weather’s attempt to put a damper on the 15th Annual Campaign, multiple shifts of firefighters were able to welcome the area’s students back to school and continue this well-loved tradition for another year.
Author: SWal Life
Views: 0
