By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Fire Department held its annual open house on 10/5/25, with demonstrations on fire safety, free pizza and other giveaways.
Firefighter/Paramedic Maggie Rocha taught children and their adults about the importance of having an escape plan, a plan b, and a making sure the plan included a meeting spot to make sure everyone was out of the house and okay.
Demonstrations included how to use a fire extinguisher; the dismantling of a car using the large cutters and spreaders; a smoke house; and fire hose.
A live fire demonstration burned a small room with a couch in it to show how quickly fire can spread, and what firefighters need to do to get to a burning structure and put it out.
As the fire burned, Ms. Rocha pointed out how dark the smoke was, indicating toxins in the air from the couch.
Young Lexie said her favorite part was when they put out the fire. The best thing she learned, she said, was how dangerous it is to fall asleep with a lit cigarette because if it falls to the floor, it could catch the whole house on fire.
Avyanna also said she liked the burning couch the best. She learned how important it is to put out a candle before leaving the room.
Ashlynn agreed the burning couch was the best part. She said she learned that with a fire, “Get out. Just get out.”
The event is funded by a SAFE grant (Student Awareness of Fire Education), and local businesses that donate the food. This year’s donors were: Bayside Lounge/Fairhaven, Domino’s Pizza, Riccardi’s Fairhaven, SOCO Tavern, Traveler’s Alehouse, Tropical Smoothie Fairhaven, SAFE, Fairhaven Fire Department.
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- Fairhaven Firefighters lift up the roof of a car during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department Open House on 10/5/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- A couch starts to burn during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department Open House on 10/5/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- Flames fully engulf the little building during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department Open House on 10/5/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- A Fairhaven Firefighter hoses down the flames of a burning building as part of a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department Open House on 10/5/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- White smoke replaces black smoke as Fairhaven Firefighters hose down a fire in a building as part of a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department Open House on 10/5/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- Lexie poses for the local free sheet at the Fairhaven Fire Department Open House on 10/5/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- Friends pose for the local free sheet at the Fairhaven Fire Department Open House on 10/5/25. Photo by Beth David.
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