Drone and technical rope demonstrations are among the offerings at the upcoming Fire Prevention week open house.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services is hosting an open house during Fire Prevention Week, which is Oct. 6 to 12.
“We are excited to invite the community to come join us for this fun and educational event,” said Isabella Li, assistant fire chief – community safety and technology.
Many fire departments observe Fire Prevention Week each year and use it promote community fire safety. It’s held during the week of Oct. 9 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which began on Oct. 8, 1871, and killed more than 250 people.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services’ open house is on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Glenbrook fire hall, 1 East Sixth Ave.
“This free event helps us promote important fire safety messages and allows the public to see behind the scenes of our fire department operations as well as network with the other emergency and community services available in New Westminster,” Li said in an email to the Record.
Features of this year’s open house include a drone demonstration, technical rope rescue demonstrations, a visit from Sparky the Fire Dog, games and prizes. In addition checking out fire trucks, visitors can visit booths of some of the fire department’s community and services partners, including ICBC, the New Westminster Police Department, BC Emergency Services, New Westminster parks and recreation and animal services department, and others.
The New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society will be hosting a hotdog barbecue, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going towards the charitable society. The society raises funds that are dispersed to a wide variety of community organizations.
“We encourage everyone to walk, bike, or take transit; the Glenbrook Fire Hall does not have parking for the event,” Li said. “Alternatively, the public can park at Queen’s Park, which is only a short walk away.”
The open house takes place rain or shine.
The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You!.
Li said statistics from Stats Canada show that only 37 per cent of residential fires recorded between 2015 and 2021 had a working smoke alarm.
