Annual fire department open house Saturday
The Birmingham Fire Department will host its annual open house on Saturday, October 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Fire Station 1 at 572 S. Adams Road.
The public is invited to join firefighters at this family-friendly interactive event. There will be lots of activities for all ages while attendees learn about fire safety, participate in interactive demonstrations and enjoy firehouse chili, hot dogs and other refreshments.
The fire department open house's most popular interactive activities, such as the opportunity to operate a fire hose and try on a fire coat, will be complemented by a brand new offering – a dunk tank. This sure-fire crowd pleaser will offer attendees an opportunity to try their arm at a softball toss to dunk the fire chief or a firefighter, with all donations benefiting the Great Lakes Burn Camp.
Throughout the open house, you'll get to watch firefighters showcase their advanced life support skills with a detailed emergency medical service scenario, and have the ability to watch the technical rescue team scale the training tower walls. Be sure to watch an EMS and vehicle extrication simulation with air bag deployments, along with HAZMAT apparatus and equipment.
“The event offers attendees a safe and fun atmosphere to learn about fire safety and meet the firefighters who work to keep the community safe,” said Birmingham Fire Chief Paul Wells. “This event is held in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, which is observed each year during the second week in October in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871. We want to remind the community to get out and stay out in the event of a fire, and call 911. Our average response time is just three minutes – one of the fastest in the state.”
Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy Sparky the Fire Dog, goodie bags and face painters. There will be great photo opportunities throughout the event. The community will have an up-close look at emergency vehicles and see the city’s first water pumping fire truck from 1924.
A Birmingham police vehicle, drone and officer will also be on site to display equipment and answer public safety questions. The Oakland County Dive Team and the Corewell Health Stroke Team will be in attendance as well.
