As I was driving through town the other day, I pulled over to to let some firetrucks, with their lights and sirens on, go by.  My daughter asked me why we were stopping, so I told her that the firetrucks needed to get to an emergency.  She then replied, oh yeah, because firemen save people and so do policemen.  I thought she put it well, in very simple terms.

Even though it isn’t Fire Prevention Week, or Crime Prevention Week, or Public Service Recognition Week, it’s important to take time out of our day to thank and acknowledge the men and women that keep our communities safe throughout the year.  Often a simple thank you is enough, but how about showing support with caps, tees, and sweatshirts emblazoned with the logo of your local fire or police departments?  What more pride could be felt by your local public safety teams when they see community members proudly sporting their logos?

Let’s not forget what they do for us day in and day out.  After all, they save people.

We’ve recently added some practical new products to keep employees safe on the job.

The 5-Point Vertical Stripe Tear Away Safety Vest is available in safety orange or yellow, and makes school crossing guards or transportation employees visible.  Or try the Hard Hat, printed with your municipality, to keep them protected.  And since it is construction season, at least here in Wisconsin, the timing of these products couldn’t be better!

For more new products, check out the website for 4imprint’s Government customers.  You’ll find unique stores with products specific to your needs, archives of past newsletters, and contact information for our Government Team.

As the fiscal year comes to a close for agencies on many government levels, you are most likely finalizing and beginning to implement plans for the upcoming year.  Announcing new programs, reinforcing your purpose to the public, and sharing important contact information may be some of the things you are planning.

There are many effective ways to communicate to the public.  Through open meetings, flyers, direct mail pieces, or giveaways, you want to be sure that the message sticks, and your budget dollars are spent wisely.

Research has shown that promotional products are an effective, low cost tool for reaching the right audience and having them recall your message.  Of those participating in a 2004 survey, 73% use promotional products at least once a day, while 76% remember who gave it to them, a full twelve months later.  Recipients of these types of products hang onto them because they find them useful (75.4%) and attractive (20.2%).  Continued exposure may be what you are looking for to get your message through.

There are many products available that represent your department’s message.  Recycled and earth-friendly products are ideal options for promoting a message of conservation, or an event within the park system.  Choose sanitizers or first aid kits to bring awareness to public health issues.  Or be sure the community has contact information of local public safety departments with magnets, pens and notepads.

Whatever method you are using to share your message, be sure the public hears it loud and clear.