The Santa Clara Fire Department kicked off Fire Prevention Week on Saturday, Oct. 5 with its Firehouse Family Fair. However, this year they broke with the past. Instead of having several different stations host open houses, everything was at the Training Center/Station 2 on Walsh Avenue in Santa Clara. Over the course of the four-hour event, more than 500 people came to see and take part.
Billed as “family-friendly,” the enthusiastic crowd comprised of many families with young children who took part in many activities. The hands-on demonstrations had children learning how to use a fire extinguisher and using a hose to knock down toys with a fire hose. The event also featured a kid’s agility course that featured five different kid-sized challenges with the prize upon completion of ringing the fire bell. The Fire Department Museum with antique fire trucks and firefighting equipment was also open for people to tour.
Demonstrations took place throughout the day and included a high angle rope rescue from the training tower. Additionally, there was also an auto extrication where firefighters used some of their tools to cut open a car and they also performed a rescue from the training tower using an aerial ladder.
Having just helped his three-year-old nephew Andres, Rick Cardenas of Santa Clara said they were “…really glad the department held the event. There’s a lot of things to do and it’s all a lot of fun.”
In addition to the demonstrations, attendees also were able to get information on fire prevention as well as tour the fire prevention trailer; take part in the Stop, Drop, and Roll Booth (courtesy of the Burn Foundation); and much more.
Fire Prevention Week takes place from Oct. 6 – 12. This year’s focus is on preparedness, “as it’s necessary which can save countless lives in any fire-related incident.” For more information on Fire Prevention Week, visit the website: www.nfpa.org/fpw.