Written By:

 

Matt Bruce

 

May 20, 2007

 

Lakewood Ranch, FL. (NS) -

 

Saturday the Manatee Red Cross Chapter held their "Family Safety Fair" with a theme centered around "Survivor"...

 

A number of Families and individuals showed up at the Mid-County Red Cross Chapter on Malachite Drive to go thru the Station's where they saw and heard information and demonstrations related to their Family's Safety...

 

Participating in the Family Safety Fair were the Red Cross Youth Corps who had exhibits on everything from Water Safety, Tornadoes, Poison, Lightning,Hurricanes, Floods to Choking...

 

East Manatee Fire-Rescue also had 4 trucks, including their 75 foot 'stick' where an EMFF climbed to the top during one of their informational drillls. They also brought one of their Brush Trucks to show the Public how they attack the Wildfire's we've been seeing in Florida. What they didn't expect, was to have to respond to a Brush Fire just off State Route 70, around 1 PM ET, when another Wildfire broke out causing a Mutual Aid response which also included the FL

Division of Forestry...

 

LECOM was present with an exhibit of their newly opened Osteopathis Medicine College on Lakewood Ranch...

 

Manatee County Animal Service and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office DUI Unit were present...

 

Manatee memorial Park and their 'Escape School' project was on hand along with Pane Protection showing how resident's can benefit by having Hurricane Shutters on their Home...

 

Peace River Electrical Cooperative and 'Bryan' were on hand to show folks who they were and what they did during their regular work and if a Storm hit forcing the power to go off...

 

A Representaive from Simple Breast Check was on hand giving detailed information about Breast Cancer...

 

The Bradenton Herald, Manatee County Red Cross Disaster Services, Health & Safety Services and a Free Blood Pressure Screening information booth were all present...

 

The Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Team was present and had their Mobile Command Trailer showing people what and how they respond to disasters. They had their radio's on and 2 antenna's set up demonstrating their communications capability...

 

And the kids had their own air filled Jumping station to enjoy once they went thru all the Statiions present and had their "passport" stamped...

 

The Red Cross also was promoting their Disaster Camp for Teens and runs for a week for a minimal cost of $25. Camp sessions will be June 11-15 at the Mid-County Service Center in Lakewood Ranch and June 18-22 at the Manatee Chapter Headquarters at 2905 59th Street West in Bradenton...

 

Folks only you can make a difference. Become informed and get involved in helping your Community as a Red Cross Volunteer. When disaster strikes, you know who's always there in helping the victims and their Families, The American Red Cross. Call 941-792-8686 for more information...