Open House: Cape Fire to offer events at all stations
The Cape Coral Fire Department is going all out this year to let people know what they’re doing in their neighborhoods.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. until noon, the CCFD will conduct its sixth annual open house, where residents will get to know their firefighters, the equipment they use and take part in countless activities, from a blood drive to SWAT Team demonstrations.
Andrea Schuch, CCFD spokesperson, said this is a great way for people to learn about those who serve their neighborhoods.
“It’s great for people to go to their local station because they get to know the people who will be responding to an emergency,” Schuch said. “That includes the station tours, the equipment displays, the tools they use, the gear they wear, and answering their questions.”
The open house will take place at all 10 city fire stations, with all of them having some sort of special feature. It is the culmination event for National Fire Prevention Week which concludes on Saturday and teaches the importance of fire safety.
“We wanted to get all the public safety entities involved, so we have activities going on at each of the stations,” Schuch said. “It will be a lot of fun.”
Schuch said there will also be giveaways, such as notebooks, pencils and fire helmets with the theme “Hear the beep where you sleep.”
The CCFD and the National Fire Protection Association teamed up this week to remind residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
“In a fire, seconds count,” said Fire Chief Donald Cochran in a statement, “Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
Schuch has visited schools this week to teach children the difference between tools and toys, to not play with matches or lighters, Stop, Drop and Roll, and calling 911.
The open house should be the fitting conclusion to the week and one you shouldn’t miss, Schuch said.
“People have a lot of questions on what it takes to be a firefighter, what it entails and what it’s like getting calls in the middle of the night,” Schuch said. “It’s an opportunity to get everyone’s questions answered and gives exposure to kids who want to be firefighters when they grow up.”
To find out more about the Cape Coral Fire Department open house, visit the department’s Facebook page, CapeCoralFD.