Springfield Fire Company held the annual Fire Prevention Open House on Friday, October 10th. The nice fall weather provided for a nice evening for residents to enjoy the open house and make the event another huge success. The annual Open House is held each year to coincide with National Fire Prevention Week. The Open House allows the Members of Springfield Fire Company to get the message out about fire safety and prevention and to display the station and apparatus to the residents of the community.
For the first time, Springfield Ambulance Corps hosted their open house with the Fire Company. Equipment was on display from the Ambulance Corps and they also hosted the Freemason's CHIP program(CHild Identification Program). Ambulance Corps members were on hand to answer questions about emergency medical services and the Springfield Ambulance Corps.
During the Fire Company Open house children were given the opportunity to practice Stop, Drop and Roll, and when completed successfully were given the chance to win a toy fire truck. They were also treated to face painting art provided by Springfield High School's Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Fire Prevention Literature was distributed throughout the evening and videos were also being shown on Home Fire Safety and Fire Prevention Topics. Refreshments were provided, which is always a favorite among the kids as well as the adults.
The Home Fire Safety Demonstration conducted by Captain Keith Thomas was another big hit. Who knows how many fires have been prevented because of the valuable lessons learned in his demonstration year after year. Showing how fires start and how unsafe practices in the home and at work can lead to fires, gives everyone in attendance the opportunity to experience these sometimes tragic acts without any harm to themselves or their home.
Andrew Tucker, aka " Lt. Louie" from the Broomall Fire Company was on hand to help with the Open House. Lt Louis is a fire prevention clown that helps get the message out about fire prevention and fire safety thru funny yet informative presentations.
A live vehicle rescue demonstration was also performed by firefighters outside the firehouse. Springfield Firefighters, along with members from the Springfield Ambulance Corps, performed different vehicle extrication techniques using the rescue equipment on Rescue 44. Residents were able to see the hydraulic tools and rescue equipment that Springfield firefighters use on a regular basis to rescue people involved in automobile accidents and in other rescue situations.
Springfield Fire Company had trophies on display from the Delaware County Firefighter's Competition that the Company competed in on October 4th. Springfield Firefighter's were able to proudly display the Delco Cup, the top overall award for the competition, for the fourth time in five years. Springfield Fire Company also had t-shirts on sale to raise funds for the Delaware County Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The memorial is currently under construction at Rose Tree Park in Upper Providence next to the Delaware County Fallen Police Officers Memorial and is scheduled to be dedicated on Saturday, November 1st.
Fire Apparatus from neighboring companies were also on display in front of the fire house on Saxer Avenue. Along side Tower 44 were: Antique Unit (1939 Ahrens Fox Pumper) from Clifton Heights Fire Company, Snorkel 53 and Traffic 53 from Broomall Fire Company, Squrt 43 from Holmes Fire Company, Water Rescue Unit 54 from Lenni Heights Fire Company, Tower 14 from Swarthmore Fire Company, Mobile 3 from the Delaware County 911 Center, Delaware County Medical Decontamination Unit, Quint 73 from Rose Tree Fire Company, and Hovercraft 12 from Eddystone Fire Company. The fire truck display was to show residents the different types of fire apparatus in the county and some of the apparatus that assists the members of Springfield Fire Company through out the year.
Broomall Fire Company provided their Fire Prevention trailer for the Open House once again this year. Members of Broomall and Springfield Fire Company used the Fire Safety House to teach residents about fire safety in the home and practice how to escape in the event of a fire.
Springfield Fire Company would like to thank all the residents that attended the 2008 Fire Prevention Open House. Fire Prevention is a year long practice, Have a Fire Safe Year! And remember, Prevent Home Fires.
