RIBBON CUTTING

Family Promise of Bell County, Promise House Grand Opening

Family Promise of Bell County works to empower families experiencing homelessness to achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. In 2021, they acquired two acres of land from the City of Temple and set out to build the Promise House. In January 2023, they celebrated the grand opening of the Promise House which includes a new 7,000 square foot building that will increase the number of guest families served as well as the quality of services provided to the families.

Rucker Preston

1411 E. Avenue N Temple, TX 76501

(254) 773-9980 www.familypromisebellcounty.org

Legends Brazilian Jiu Jitsu New Location Grand Opening

Legends Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was founded with one goal in mind: to help others discover and expand their knowledge and love for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Their IBJJF certified academy has had the opportunity to help countless students acquire foundational skills, develop new techniques, and confidently move forward in their martial arts journey. The Legends Brazilian Jiu Jitsu curriculum was created to provide a wide range of instruction to support students from all backgrounds and levels.

7514 Prairie View Rd.

Temple, TX 76502

(254) 371-6483 www.legendsbjj.com

Leadership Temple Public Safety Day: Keeping the Community Safe

Leadership Temple Class of 2023 Participants: Kevin Craven, Tanner Johnson & Megan Mondrik firefighting training exercises. They learned about extricating victims from vehicles by removing car doors and safely breaking windows, climbed the fire ladder, rappelled down the side of a building, and extinguished a vehicle fire. After climbing up a 95 ft ladder and rappelling down the side of building, it was safe to say everyone had worked up an appetite. The Leadership Temple class was thankful to enjoy delicious burgers and brats grilled by the amazing fireman and staff at Station 8.

“We can rest assured that our highly trained firefighters are on the job keeping us safe and protected,” noted Kevin Craven, Leadership Temple Class of 2023. “On a side note, the rumor that firefighters are great cooks has been confirmed. The home-cooked lunch was voted the best lunch of the year!”

The afternoon was spent with the Temple Police Department where the class was greeted by Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds. The Temple Police Department employs 163 dedicated professionals, 114 of whom are sworn officers and 39.5 non-sworn employees. The motto of the department is “Integrity, Honor, and Dedication", as these terms best describe the character of the men and women who are the Temple Police Department.

Through Leadership Temple, it becomes evident how many elements come together to create a remarkable quality of life in the city. The Public Safety Class Day, the most recent class day held in January, provided a glimpse into the essential services that keep us safe.

The day began at Temple Fire Station 8/Fire Training Center with a presentation from Temple Fire & Rescue Chief Mitchell Randles. Chief Randles is responsible for the planning, operation, and administration of Temple Fire & Rescue including fire suppression, fire prevention, standards, emergency management, and emergency medical activities in the city.

The Temple Fire Department has 121 sworn personnel operating out of eight fire stations. In 2022 they received more than 14,600 calls, or about 40 calls per day. Of those calls, remarkably only 479 were fire related. The majority of the calls, amounting to about 60%, are EMS/Rescue related.

Once the presentation concluded, the Leadership Temple class participated in

Chief Reynolds provided an insightful presentation regarding the police department that included the structure, services, mission, goals, and objectives showcasing how Temple Police Department is equipped to keep us safe.

To top off Public Safety Day, Leadership Temple had the opportunity to visit the Temple PD Range and training facility. The class saw a K-9 officer demonstrate an apprehension and was shown tools that SWAT uses including a flash bang and door-breaching demonstration. Among many of the highlights of the day, the SWAT armored vehicle and Mobile Operations unit were made available.

“We were briefed on the many departments and personnel involved in the safety of our community, it’s outstanding to see all that goes into the safety of our community as well as the safety of our police force," said Megan Mondrik, Leadership Temple Class of 2023. "Leadership Temple allows you to see an insider view to the community in all different ways. Public Safety Day specifically left me feeling very confident in the men and women who protect us each and every day.”