Lowell Area Fire Department Hosts Open House

On Tuesday, October 11 from 6-8pm the Lowell Area Fire Department will host their 4th Annual Fire Prevention Open House.  Members of the community are invited to this free event where they’ll get a close-up look at fire trucks, learn about fire safety and more.  Free smoke detectors will also be handed out at the event.

Those who come to the fire station will be able to get close to some fire trucks.  There will also be an opportunity to ride in one of the trucks.  Kids can also enter a drawing to win a ride to school in a fire truck.  Students must be within the Lowell Area School District.  The winner will have a fire truck pick him or her up in the morning at home and dropped off at school.  

Visitors can also watch a vehicle extraction.  While the demonstration is interesting it’s also a good way to show every age group the importance of driving safely and what could happen in a serious accident.

How do you find your way around when it’s hard to see?  What can you do to help with your breathing if you’re in a smoke filled room?  Kids and adults will have the opportunity to go inside a smoke house and experience what it might look like having to get out of a house filled with simulated smoke.  The smoke house dates back to 1994 and has had thousands of students go through it.  Most recently almost 200 Kindergarteners had this experience.  

It is important to have a plan in the event of a fire.  Similar to a plan of action and practice through drills at school, families should have a procedure in the event of a fire, which should also be practiced from time to time.

The open house is the best opportunity to speak with those in the department who are taking care of the community.  This will be Chief Ron van Overbeek’s first open house in his new role after accepting the position this past summer.  October is Fire Prevention Month.  Take some time this week to visit the fire station and learn from the experts what to do and how to be safe in the event of a fire.  In past years 150-200 people have attended.   The Lowell Area Fire Department is hoping for an even bigger turnout this year.   Thanks to Captain Witherell for taking some time to speak with us about the upcoming event.