This Saturday, October 15, the public is invited to visit any of Cape Coral’s ten fire stations from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Each station provides visitors the opportunity to tour the station, meet firefighters, and learn about the fire apparatus and equipment. There will also be fun, educational, and different public safety displays and activities at each station. Giveaways and games with prizes (while supplies last) will be at each station as well. The locations of the stations and the activities at each are as follows:
Station 1, 4610 Coronado Parkway, will have CCPD SWAT and K-9 demonstrations.
Station 2, 701 Nicholas Parkway, will have vehicle extrication demonstrations and rescue diver technician equipment and information.
Station 3, 1627 Everest Parkway, will have a LCEMS ambulance on display for visitors to tour and CCPD fingerprinting for kids.
Station 4, 2007 Santa Barbara Boulevard, will have an inflatable interactive fire safety smoke house for visitors to experience.
Station 5, 1029 Diplomat Parkway, will host the Florida Forest Service who will be bringing a bulldozer and Smokey Bear.
Station 6, 4540 Chiquita Parkway, will have pet safety information, a visit from Estero Fire Rescue’s fire dog, Ember, and adoptable dogs from the Gulf Coast Humane Society.
Station 7, 3942 Burnt Store Road N, and Station 10, 3623 Gator Circle West, will have CCFD Open House activities.
Station 8, 707 SW 1st Street, will have LCSO and Lee County Mosquito Control helicopters on display for visitors to tour.
Station 9, 4107 Pelican Boulevard, will have a junior firefighter obstacle course.
The Fire Department Open House is the culminating event for national Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years. The goal for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years,” is to better educate the public about the critical importance of knowing how old their smoke alarms are and replacing them once they’re 10 years old.
A recent survey conducted by NFPA revealed that only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced. That lack of awareness is a concern for the Cape Coral Fire Department and NFPA, along with fire departments throughout the country, because smoke alarms don’t last forever.
“Time and again, I’ve seen the life-saving impact smoke alarms can have in a home fire, but I’ve also seen the tragedy that can result when smoke alarms aren’t working properly,” says Fire Chief Donald Cochran. “That’s why we’re making a concerted effort to educate Cape Coral residents about the overall importance of smoke alarms, and that they do have a life limit.”
To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the date of manufacture is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date (not the date of purchase). The Cape Coral Fire Department also says smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and that batteries should be replaced once a year or when they begin to chirp, signaling that they’re running low.
For more information on smoke alarms and this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years”, visit www.firepreventionweek.org. To find out more about the Cape Coral Fire Department Open House, please visit the department’s facebook page, CapeCoralFD.
