FECC Community Involvement
Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center staff are involved in various programs and groups around the Fairbanks community.
Dispatcher Angela Modrell volunteers for the "Kids Don't Float" program. Kids Don't Float is a program run by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and is designed to make sure life vests are available for children across Alaska.
The Kids Don't Float stations display life jackets that can be borrowed and returned after use.
Dispatch Lead Kristi Merideth and her husband, Sgt. Peyton Merideth have organized the "Sgt. Brandt Memorial Run from the Cops" for the last two years. The "Sgt. Brandt Memorial Run from the Cops" is a wonderful event to bring officers closer to the community they proudly serve. Originally created by members of the Department as a fund-raising effort for local charities, the event was renamed in honor of Sgt. Allen Brandt following his tragic death in the line of duty serving the community he loved. The "Sgt. Brandt Memorial Run from the Cops" Walk & Run is a fun event for runners and walkers alike. This event is a great way to run from the cops without getting arrested. There are certified officers who run the race, and the challenge for members of the community is to beat the cops to the finish line. This is a family-oriented event so kids and strollers are welcome.
The race/walk starts at the Fairbanks Police Department parking lot and the finish line is also at the Fairbanks Police Department. After completing the race, registered participants can enjoy donuts, fruit, coffee & water. There is also a Meet and Greet to provide an opportunity for kids and adults to view the police cars and equipment while interacting with police officers.
In recent years with the popularity of the event growing a costume contest with prizes has developed with prizes awarded for best costume, individually and as a group. There will are also awards for the top finishers of the race.
Money raised from the race is donated to C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) C.O.P.S. was organized in 1984 with 110 individual members. Today C.O.P.S. membership is over 37,000 survivors. Survivors include spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others, and affected co-workers of officers killed in the line of duty according to Federal government criteria.
