During the Cape Coral Fire Department’s 7th Annual Open House, over 2000 people visited at least one of the Department’s 10 stations, and many guests visited multiple stations. The Fire Department Open House is an important community event as it enables citizens to learn more about their Fire Department and the services it provides, and it allows Fire Department personnel to meet more members of the community whom they serve.
It also provides a great opportunity to educate kids and adults alike on fire safety. CCFD Open House occurs each year at the end of national Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme was “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.” The key message was to make sure you know how old all the smoke alarms are in your home. To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date.
In addition to fire safety information, takeaways, station tours, a scavenger hunt, the opportunity to meet firefighters, and fire engine and equipment displays, the Cape Coral Fire Department worked with other agencies to provide an even better and more educational experience. The Cape Coral Police Department was at Fire Station 1 with their SWAT and K9 units. Visitors had a great time learning about SWAT and watching the training and handling of the K9 unit dogs. Vehicle extrication demonstrations were given at Fire Station 2. Visitors were able see the tools and techniques used by firefighters to remove a victim from a car that has been damaged in a crash. The Cape Coral Police Department provided fingerprinting for kids and Lee County EMS had an ambulance for guests to tour at Fire Station 3. Visitors were able to learn fire safety tips and practice crawling low under smoke in the interactive inflatable fire safety smoke house at Fire Station 4. Florida Forest Service educated guests with their bulldozer and entertained them with Smokey Bear at Fire Station 5. Fire Station 6 was all about the pets. Gulf Coast Humane Society brought adoptable dogs for guests to meet, Ember the fire dog from Estero Fire Rescue greeted guests, and guests were able to learn pet safety tips and get Pet Finder stickers for their homes. Fire Station 8 had Lee County EMS, Lee County Mosquito Control District, and Lee County Sheriff’s Office helicopters on site. Fire Station 9 had a Junior Firefighter obstacle course set up for the younger visitors. This inaugural activity enabled kids to train like a firefighter. They donned firefighting jackets and helmets, carried a bundle of fire hose, dragged a roll of fire hose, used a mallet to move a piece of wood (known as a sled), sprayed targets with a hose, and crawled through a smoke-filled tunnel to rescue a (stuffed) animal. Thank you to the community for coming out to support the Department, to learn safety tips, and have a good time. This year’s Open House was a lot of fun for visitors and firefighters alike.
While October is Fire Prevention Month, it is important for fire safety and prevention to be practiced year round. The Cape Coral Fire Department offers fire safety programs for all ages and for a variety of groups, from schools to scouts. For more information and to schedule, please call (239) 242-3303.
