Family fun for Fire Prevention Week
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West Valley City Fire Marshal Bob Fitzgerald explains to a group of open house visitors how the fire engine’s extension ladder operates before the repelling demonstration.
The West Valley City Fire Department’s Station 74, located at 5545 West 3100 South, recently held a fun and informative open house, giving West Valley residents the chance to learn more about the firefighters and fire safety.
The event was held in conjunction with annual Fire Prevention Week. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the fire station showed several unique and interactive demonstrations, all with the goal of encouraging safety and awareness.
“Ultimately, we want these activities that we do here today to help educate people on the dangers of fire and how they can stay safe,” West Valley City Fire Marshal Bob Fitzgerald said. “If we can prevent one accident or save just one life, than this is definitely worth it.”
The fire station showed off several fire engines and other rescue vehicles used by fire departments in Utah. Visitors were able to go inside all of the vehicles, see all of the operating equipment and even sit in the driver’s seat of the fire engine.
In one demonstration, two brave firefighters repelled down a rope suspended 100 feet in the air from a fully extended truck ladder. One of those firefighters did it upside down.
The station also held a decontamination demonstration where firefighters, dressed in full gear, stood in the station’s garage and let children volunteers scrub them down with hoses and brooms. This simulated the precautions firefighters undergo if exposed to dangerous and contaminated material.
“We like to have a lot of fun when we do this every year,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s a great way for people to see the kinds of things our crew does. And most of the kids that come through here just love it.”
The crew was always quick to encourage fire safety to each of the visitors. Several pamphlets and booklets on staying safe and preventing fires were available for free, along with juice and donuts for each of the guests.
“So many of the fires that we encounter can be prevented,” Fitzgerald said. “If people learn more about how they can help prevent fires, then we can avoid some tragedies.”
