Hanson Fire Department’s open house treats kids to some hands-on adventure with the focus on ‘Safety First’

HANSON — The Hanson fire department’s open house was held on Sunday, Oct. 4 in conjunction with fire safety month.

The sun made an appearance allowing dozens of families a fall outing and plenty of time to try out the equipment, tools and turnout gear of their hometown fire house.

Firefighter Charley Barends, public education coordinator for the SAFE program organized the event, which offered children’s activities including putting out a “fire” with the real hoses that firefighters use.

Children lined up to spray the hoses and others jumped in the puddles from the runoff.

Easing fears

ROOM TO GROW: Tiffany Pryor helps her daughter Savannah, 2, try on the jacket in the dress up area as her son Logan, 3, wears full turnout gear during the Hanson Fire Department’s annual open house Sunday. See more photos, pages 10,11. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

Barends, a father of 5-year-old twins said the SAFE program in the schools allows the younger children to familiarize themselves with their local firefighters so if they ever had to call 911 they will recognize the firefighters who are there to help.

He also is present during school fire drills and some of the topics they will be discussing are: fire safety, stop-drop-and-roll, family meeting places and exit plans in case of emergency and when to dial 911.

In the upcoming weeks posters, which decorated the walls of the fire station will be judged by Chief Jerry Thompson and the student winners will receive a gift.

With cotton candy and popcorn as well as a bouncy house and coloring table there was plenty to do both indoors and out. Free pizza was also provided by Papa Gino’s.

View pictures from the event on the Whitman-Hanson Express Facebook page.