College of Public Safety Administration hosts summer safety Lunch and Learn

Public Safety - All

Fire Training Center Director James Angle addresses the audience as Liz Montiforti and Lacy Stokes from Palm Harbor Fire Rescue wait to present to public safety students and staff about summer safety. (Photo: St. Petersburg College – College of Public Safety Administration)

SPC’s College of Public Safety Administration hosted a Lunch & Learn on June 11 for staff and students in Allstate Center’s Florida Room. The focus of the Lunch & Learn was to offer great tips for a safe and fun summer. After a summer, grilling-themed lunch, speakers took the podium.

With the help of the Student Government Association and SPC’s Fire Training Center Director James Angle, the Florida Suncoast Safe Kids Coalition discussed topics related to Summer Safety. Liz Montiforti, who has been with Palm Harbor Fire Rescue for 10 years, spoke on topics including grilling safety, pool safety and car seat safety. Her tips included:

  • Keep the grill at least three feet from your house
  • Make sure parents or guardians are taking turns watching children around pools or water
  • Hang a tag from your review mirror as a reminder to check the back seat for children or pets

Once Montiforti finished her part of the presentation, her colleague Lacy Stokes took the podium to discuss firearm safety. Her group presents at schools in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties about the importance of firearm safety and the relationship that her group has with local agencies and the communities.

She noted that firearm safety presentations are mandatory for third grade students, who are taught the importance of recognizing a real gun versus a toy gun. She also shared with the audience a phrase that she teaches students who live in a home with a firearm. The phrase is “Halt. Hands Off. Get Out and Get Help.”

The Florida Suncoast Safe Kids Coalition offers a helpful website filled with tips on how to have a safe and fun summer. If you are interested in learning additional summer safety tips we encourage you to check out their website.