Safety Fair offers fun with emergency preparedness

By Jacques Star • October 8, 2025 2:30 am
K-9 Officer Ken McKnight with the Port Angeles Police Department and Freddy the German Shepherd greet Sequim residents Riley Galvin, Joseph Vuckel, Haley Holden, and Darlene Cook at the Clallam County Public Safety Fair. McKnight said he and Freddy completed a 400-hour special training program for certification as a K-9 officer.
K-9 Officer Ken McKnight with the Port Angeles Police Department and Freddy the German Shepherd greet Sequim residents Riley Galvin, Joseph Vuckel, Haley Holden, and Darlene Cook at the Clallam County Public Safety Fair. McKnight said he and Freddy completed a 400-hour special training program for certification as a K-9 officer.

Once again, local public service agencies gathered for the Clallam County Safety Fair on Oct. 4 in and around the Guy Cole Event Center.

Organizers report that 45 different agencies with 85 different elements participated.

The fair is an annual collaboration between the City of Sequim, Clallam County Fire District 3 (FD3) and members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to provide access to information about community groups and emergency preparedness.

Sequim Gazette photo by Jacques Star/ Gracie Barkley learns how to use a fire extinguisher to put out a grease fire at the Public Safety Fair on Oct. 4 following advice from volunteer firefighter Thomas Danielson with Clallam County Fire District 3. Danielson said while most people own a fire extinguisher, many don’t know how to use them, so it’s a good idea to learn how to use them properly just in case a real world situation arises.

Sequim Gazette photo by Jacques Star/ Gracie Barkley learns how to use a fire extinguisher to put out a grease fire at the Public Safety Fair on Oct. 4 following advice from volunteer firefighter Thomas Danielson with Clallam County Fire District 3. Danielson said while most people own a fire extinguisher, many don’t know how to use them, so it’s a good idea to learn how to use them properly just in case a real world situation arises.

Fire Chief Justin Grider with Clallam County Fire District 3 chats with the audience at the Clallam County Public Safety Fair on Oct. 4 about his experiences with wildfires, including Los Alamos County in New Mexico, and lessons learned from them. He highlighted the importance of preparedness, such as creating defensible spaces using fire-resistant materials, and having evacuation plans.

Fire Chief Justin Grider with Clallam County Fire District 3 chats with the audience at the Clallam County Public Safety Fair on Oct. 4 about his experiences with wildfires, including Los Alamos County in New Mexico, and lessons learned from them. He highlighted the importance of preparedness, such as creating defensible spaces using fire-resistant materials, and having evacuation plans.

Sparky the Fire Dog gives Cedar and Josh Cooper a high five at the Clallam County Public Safety Fair in Carrie Blake Community Park where families could see and touch first responder vehicles and watch fire extinguisher demonstrations.

Sparky the Fire Dog gives Cedar and Josh Cooper a high five at the Clallam County Public Safety Fair in Carrie Blake Community Park where families could see and touch first responder vehicles and watch fire extinguisher demonstrations.

Carrie Blake Community Park hosted the free Clallam County Public Safety Fair on Oct. 4 with multiple first responder vehicles and community agencies on hand.

Carrie Blake Community Park hosted the free Clallam County Public Safety Fair on Oct. 4 with multiple first responder vehicles and community agencies on hand.