[13 June 2007]

The biggest Combined Emergency Services Display in the South of England!

In excess of 30,000 people are expected to attend the biggest Combined Emergency Services Display in the South of England! The two-day 999 event, lead by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, is being held on Saturday 30th June to Sunday 1st July and takes place on the beautiful Western Lawns on Eastbourne seafront.

The 999 event, held annually, is the biggest yet and is packed full of exciting demonstrations and displays by all of the U.K´s emergency services. There are over fifteen exhibitors displaying this year, ranging from bomb disposal units to police dogs and airport fire tenders. East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service will be showcasing their new interactive Community Safety Vehicle, which is an excellent example of modern technology and includes a very dramatic chip pan fire demonstration!

The range of emergency services displaying at the event is extensive and includes Sussex Police Specialist Search Divers and Air Operations helicopter, South East Coast Ambulance Services, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency Rescue Helicopter, Eastbourne Lifeboats, the Royal Navy, East Sussex Wildlife Rescue, British Divers Marine Life rescue and many more.

As one of the largest events of its kind within the United Kingdom, it´s an excellent opportunity for the Emergency Services to fully engage and interact within the community they serve. It´s also an ideal event for the general public to explore the wide-ranging roles of the emergency services. Another important focus this year will be to concentrate on young people in need of assistance and include them in initiatives such as the LIFE Project. Eastbourne Prevent and Deter Group should help to highlight some of these individuals. Events such as 999 provide additional opportunities to address these issues and allow East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service to deliver the ultimate goal of a safer community for everyone.

It´s certainly a fun family day out and best of all, it´s absolutely free! We´d love to see you there...

Please see the website for further details: www.eastbourne999display.co.uk.

[Allison Gilson]