Firefighters approach the fully engulfed building during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/10/26. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Fire Department hosted the town to an open house on Saturday, 10/10/26, featuring demonstrations, free stuff, and tips on fire safety. The public could get up close to fire trucks, an ambulance, and other firefighting equipment. Firefighters were on hand to answer questions, and kids could crawl through the smoke house to experience how hard it is to see in a dark, smoke-filled house.
Firefighters demonstrated using the “Jaws of Life” and other tools used to cut up and break up a car to get someone out. They also set a small building on fire to show how fast fire can spread and to demonstrate putting it out.
Young Asher sat in the driver’s seat of a Carry All police vehicle.
“It’s easy,” he said as he turned wheel.
Firefighter/Paramedic, Troy DeCouto, explained each step of what firefighters were doing as they broke up a car to get a person out. They used special “Jaws of Life” type tools to cut through metal and spread metal apart to break through.
After rescuing their “victim,” the continued to use the tools to cut under the windshield, and peel it back to make the car a convertible, as Mr. DeCouto said.
He said people sometimes ask which cars are easier to break apart, old ones or new ones.
Old ones, for sure, he said.
Kai, Parker, and Hudson watched the demonstration sitting on the ground.
“It was awesome,” said Kai.
They all liked it when the roof popped off.
“And the doors,” said Hudson. “And breaking the glass.”
Twin brothers, Noah and Cole, from Rochester, said, they too, liked it when the roof popped off the car.
During the building fire, Mr. DeCouto explained that fire grows quickly and people should get out of a building immediately if it is on fire.
“Smoke detectors save lives,” said Mr. DeCouto, and reminded everyone to change batteries on November 1.
He explained that the little building they were burning only had wood in it, but a house or garage would have all kinds of material in it, including plastic.
Inside, Fire Chief Todd Correia dished out the pizza, and people could wander around the station and talk to firefighters. Freebies included coloring and activity books with lots of tips on fire safety. Other freebies included fire hats, colored pencils, and stickers.
The event was part of National Fire Safety Week, which was 10/4 to 10/10. Learn more at https://www.nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week
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- Asher tries his hand at the steering wheel of the Police Department’s Carry All vehicle during the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/10/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- Firefighters hose down the hot spots after putting out a fire in a building during a demonstration at the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/10/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- Firefighters peel back the roof of a car during the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/10/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Kai, Parker, and Hudson watch firefighters take a car apart during the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/10/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Hudson and Madison spy the camera as they reach an opening in the smoke house during the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Open House on 10/10/26. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the 10/15/26 issue: 10-15-26 FireOpenHouse
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