TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tyndall Air Force Base’s community police and K-9 units will partner with city first responders during the National Night Out event at the Panama City Mall in the Sears parking lot Aug. 2, 5 - 8 p.m.
The Panama City police department will host the event, and members of U.S. Naval Support Activity Panama City will also be in attendance.
As a longstanding tradition, the event promotes relations between citizens and emergency services departments across the nation.
“As a whole, the event is a way for federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as local fire departments, to provide an awareness of abilities and good conduct,” said Tech. Sgt. Robert Sikes, 325th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of community police. “We demonstrate these capabilities by showcasing some of our specialized service equipment.”
Some of these items include patrol cars, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles.
The event is also a chance for first responders to educate attendees by demonstrating the use of their equipment and knowledge skills with exercises they use for training.
Guests will also have the opportunity to speak with first responders to gain a better understanding of their jobs and the risks involved.
“The event itself isn’t necessarily a recruiting tool but more so just an event to increase interactions with Tyndall emergency services and our civilian counterparts,” said Sikes. “However, if a participant of the event were to become interested in joining one of the many emergency services, then we’re more than happy to direct them in the right direction.”
The event is held the first Tuesday in August each year across the U.S. as a means to strengthen the bond and trust between police and the people they have sworn to protect.
”I’ve heard nothing but great things about the event from colleagues and other Airmen around base who’ve attended in the past,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Sarsfield 325th Communications Squadron NCO in charge of cyber systems. “I look forward to taking advantage of what the event has to offer and learning a bit more about the sacrifices first responders make.”