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First Responder Expo

Come join us for the 2026 First Responder Expo at SUNY Canton!

Date: September 11, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

This free, family friendly, community event is a chance to check out the work and equipment used by first responders across the North Country. It’s a great way for individuals and families to connect with public safety professionals, get hands-on with equipment and gear, and learn more about how the first responders keep our communities safe.

With nearly 40 Federal, State, Local, and Not-for-profit agencies attending, you’ll see everything from patrol vehicles and fire trucks to drones, K9 units, all-terrain vehicles, and mobile command centers, and even a Medical Helicopter Landing (mission and weather dependent). You can explore the vehicles up close, meet with responders, and find out how each team plays a role in emergencies and disaster response.

Food trucks will be on-site, and many agencies will have info tables for anyone interested in public safety careers or volunteer opportunities.

Whether you’re thinking about a future in the field, bringing the family for a fun afternoon, or just curious to see what goes into the work behind the scenes, there’s something for everyone.

Parking will be in Lots 3, 4, and 5 of the SUNY Canton Campus and agencies will be scattered throughout Lots 6, 7, and 8.

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Emergency Preparedness Week Schedule of Events

9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, SUNY Canton University Police will be holding a shelter-in-place drill. The goal is to test the college’s RAVE Alert Notification system and determine the college community’s response.

9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, Environmental Health and Safety will offer cooking safety and fire extinguisher training at the Roselle Plaza.

9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Sept. 10, the cooking safety and fire extinguisher training will continue at the same location.

7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, there will be an “After the Fire” presentation at the Roos House field house. The event features two survivors of the Jan. 19, 2000, fire at Seton Hall University who discuss their perseverance, hope, inspiration, courage and friendship.

2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, First Responder & Public Safety Expo in Parking Lot 7.

The expo schedule features events every half hour, including:

2:00 p.m. LifeNet helicopter landing (weather and mission dependent)

2:30 p.m. mock dorm room live burn by the SUNY Canton Environmental Health and Safety Office

3:00 p.m. law enforcement K9 demonstration by the Potsdam Police Department

3:30 p.m. search and rescue demonstration by Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks

4:00 p.m. drone demonstration by Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police