By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Fire Department held its annual open house on Sunday, 10/15/23, educating the public about fire safety, and demonstrating fire and rescue operations. The department set a small building ablaze to demonstrate how quickly, within a minute or two, a fire can engulf a room, to impress upon the public that they should leave immediately when there is a fire. Firefighters also demonstrated how they extricate someone from a car using spreaders and cutters, also known as the Jaws of Life. Other demonstrations included transporting a gurney from a rooftop keeping it level, a walk through the smoke house (stay low and go), and a chance to use the fire hose to knock down targets.
The public was also welcome to free pizza, soft drinks, and giveways like coloring books and plastic firefighter hats.
Firefighter/Paramedic Maggie Rocha told the crowd, especially the children, how fire loves oxygen, so they should close doors behind them when leaving a scene, and keep their bedroom doors closed at night.
“It gives you more time to escape,” said Ms. Rocha.
She told them the family should have a meeting spot outside the home in case they all have to leave a burning house separately. That way they can know right away if someone is trapped in the house.
Volunteers took a hand at using the fire extinguisher to put out a small fire, and two volunteers put on all the fire gear to see how heavy it is.
“It’s amazing how heavy that is,” said Kevin Furtado, 25. “To think you have all that weight on you and have to run into a building. It’s insane. And these guys do it all the time.”
Young Brayden also tried on the gear, although it was a few sizes too big.
“It was very smelly and sweaty, and I could barely walk,” said Brayden. “It was heavy. I felt like a real firefighter. It was a really cool experience.”
Fairhaven Fire Chief Todd Correia said he was happy with the crowd, not as big as some years, but a very engaged crowd.
He said they have a whole new SAFE crew in charge of the event this year and they did a fine job.
“It was their first time and it went without a hitch,” said Chief Correia. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
-
- Firefighters demonstrate how they take apart a car to get to the person inside, including removal of the roof, during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
-
- Fairhaven Call Firefighter Jake Gallagher gives some instruction while Lylah tries her hand at the fire hose during the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
-
- Firefighters show how they remove a person from a roof, lowering the gurney the ladder simultaneously to keep the gurney level, during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
-
- L-R: Call Firefighters Jake Gallagher and Jordan Cabral race to gear up during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
-
- L-R: Fairhaven Firefighter/Paramedic Maggie Rocha explains all the gear volunteer Kevin Furtado is wearing and carrying during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
-
- A small building is ablaze to show how quickly fire grows during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
-
- Firefighters use giant cutters to cut up a car to get to a trapped person during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
-
- Isaiah (CENTER) tries on some firefighter gear with the help of Fairhaven Firefighter/Paramedic Maggie Rocha, while (LEFT) young Brayden feels the weight of the firefighter’s axe under the watchful eye of Fairhaven Call Firefighter Jake Gallagher during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
•••
Click here to download the 10/19/23 issue: 10-19-23 FireOpenHouse
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
