LAGRANGE – The LaGrange Fire District opened the doors of its headquarters on Freedom Plains Road on Saturday, October 2 to welcome the public to kick-off Fire Prevention Week which runs from October 3 to October 9.
The event featured a variety of fire apparatus for children of all ages to inspect and learn about. LaGrange professional firefighters were on hand to explain what the tools on each rig are used for as well as provide fire-prevention lessons in a fun environment.
Fire Lieutenant Tom Martell was manning one of the most popular exhibits of the day, with Engine 47-13. Children were encouraged to climb aboard both the front and back of the cab as well as learn about the various calls the rig responds to.
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Wasilewski arrived with his patrol vehicle and gave kids a chance to sit in the driver’s seat and activate the lights and sirens. He provided all of the kids with badge stickers to round out the experience.
Firefighter Nate Herring-Trott is the department’s Fire Prevention and Community Relations coordinator who was tasked with setting the event up. “This is our annual Safety Day where we open our doors, show people who we are and what we do.” The LaGrange firefighter said that the career men on duty were supplemented with volunteers to make the day a success.
Another popular attraction was the fire extinguisher demonstration where kids were allowed to put out flames with a water can. “It’s a great demonstration,” said Herring-Trott. “If they can put the fire out before we get there it is going to save a lot of time and a lot of money.”
Herring-Trott also noted that the State Police were present with their seatbelt sled which shows the effect of not wearing a seatbelt during a 20 MPH collision.
