Emergency Service Day: Water Safety Awareness

Brighton’s iconic seafront came alive on Saturday as families flocked to Hove Lawns for an exciting day with local emergency services, all coming together to promote vital water safety awareness. Children and parents alike were thrilled to meet real-life heroes from Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, St John Ambulance, HM Coastguard, and the […]

Brighton’s iconic seafront came alive on Saturday as families flocked to Hove Lawns for an exciting day with local emergency services, all coming together to promote vital water safety awareness.

Children and parents alike were thrilled to meet real-life heroes from Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, St John Ambulance, HM Coastguard, and the RNLI. This year’s event put a special spotlight on water safety, with experts sharing crucial advice on staying safe at the beach and what to do if something goes wrong by the sea.

Young visitors couldn’t get enough of exploring fire engines, chatting with friendly police officers, and collecting stickers — but one of the biggest hits of the day was the arrival of two police motorbikes. With officers waiting for another event in Brighton to start, both kids and adults got the unforgettable chance to sit on a real police bike, sparking huge smiles and plenty of photos.

As with all events like this, both the fire service and police teams remained on standby throughout. True to form, the fire engines did vanish twice during the day as crews were called away to respond to real emergencies — a powerful reminder of the dedication of our frontline responders even in the middle of a community event.

Interactive demos, first aid practice, and conversations with lifesaving professionals kept the crowds engaged, and the free-entry event turned into a sunny, festival-like afternoon that left everyone with new knowledge — and an even deeper appreciation for the people who keep Brighton and Hove safe.

This year’s emergency services day proved why it’s a standout on the summer calendar, blending family fun with lifesaving lessons that could one day make all the difference.