Firefighters to Practice Their 4th of July Rappel Down New Building 

WHO:   City of West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Department

WHAT: Practice Run of Rappel & Flag Unfurling for 4th on Flagler
 If you see WPB firefighters hanging off the side of Phillips Point, there is no need for alarm and there is no emergency.  The City’s firefighters will simply be practicing their annual 4th on Flagler rappel and flag unfurling at a new location.

 The 4th on Flagler event site has moved slightly south this year along Flagler Drive due to construction of the new West Palm Beach waterfront project.  The 2009 event site will be on Flagler Drive from Fern Street to Lakeview Avenue, with additional activities in Trinity Park.

 Due to the move, WPB firefighters had to relocate their unique 4th on Flagler tradition to Phillips Point, where guests can watch the firefighters unfurl a giant four-story high American flag as they rappel down the building.  After the flag unfurl, all guests are then invited to salute our country and pledge allegiance to the flag.  The management team at Phillips Point has been more than happy to host the firefighters this year as they become familiar with their new location and try a few practice runs before the big night on the 4th of July. 

WHEN: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Phillips Point Building, 777 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
 **Firefighters will rappel down the East Tower, on the north side of the building.  Reporters and photographers can view the rappel and flag unfurling from Trinity Park.**

FUN FACTS:
 This is the 7th year the City of West Palm Beach Firefighters have unfurled the giant flag.
 It takes a total of 8 firefighters to safely rappel and unfurl the giant flag.
 The firefighters will use approximately 1500 feet of rope for the rappel and flag unfurl.
 The firefighters will practice approximately 10 times on three different days before the event.
 The giant flag is 50 feet long, which is approximately four stories high.

(Friday, December 19, 2008)  West Palm Beach residents hoping to learn more about public safety and get involved in their City government have an exciting new opportunity.

The West Palm Beach Police and Fire Rescue Departments will be offering a 13-week Citizen Police and Fire Academy to the public.  Space is limited, so sign up today!  The classes will be on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. starting January 26, 2009.  The class will meet at the Police Department on Banyan Boulevard.

The academy will immerse students in every area of both the Police and Fire Rescue departments.  Activities will include a four-hour police ride along, fire station tours and demonstrations of the latest public safety technology.  The course provides lessons in police and fire work that the average citizen rarely has an opportunity to experience.

To register for this exciting course, call Officer Kelly Carsillo at 561-822-1620.

What: 5th Annual Firestorm Teen Camp Media Day Live Fire Exercise
When: Thursday April 10, 2008, 11AM
Where: Fire Station # 2 , 4301 South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach  

Teenagers attending “Firestorm,” a week-long firefighting camp, will battle smoke and flames as part of an exercise donning full gear and engaging an authentic structure fire rescue situation.
One of the only camps of it’s type in the U.S., Firestorm training for teens aged 14-19 teaches authentic techniques such as Aerial Climb & Rappel Drill, Extrication, Search & Rescue, Surface Water Rescue and more. 38 students are attending this years classes.

Firestorm is the only teen fire camp on the east coast, and has been a great success for West Palm Beach Fire Rescue.  Teens learn and experience a vast array of first responder training, learning about teamwork and responsibility in the process.

The City of West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Department, urges all City residents to leave a distance of at least 3′ (3 feet) between your space or kerosene heater, and combustible items during this cold snap. All users of kerosene heaters, please be ensure that you purchase only kerosene, and not gasoline when refilling your heater. Electrical space heaters, should be in good condition, this includes the plug, as well as, the cord.

04/04/07 - Teenagers attending “Firestorm,” a week-long firefighting camp, will get up close and personal with smoke and fire as part of an exercise on Thursday, April 5, 2007 beginning at approximately 10:00 A.M. at Fire Station #2, 4301 South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. (more…)