Linacy Fire Department hosting open house

Dale Pettipas doesn’t want any child’s first encounter with firefighters to be during an emergency.

That’s part of the reason why he, as chief of the Linacy Fire Department, believes interaction with the public is important. On an annual basis his department hosts an open house during Fire Prevention Week to familiarize people with the department while having a good time.

This year the event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 8, from noon to 3 p.m. Their goal is to make the event even more special by having a bouncy house for kids, a barbecue, cotton candy and popcorn. There will also be firefighting demonstrations, a display of firefighting gear and trucks as well as several draws for kids and adults. In one of the draws, kids can win a chance to drive to school in a fire truck.

Pettipas said the winners are always excited about the opportunity of driving in the truck.

“It’s just like Christmas morning for them,” he said.

Pettipas believes that interaction between firefighters and children is important.

“If there’s a situation where we have to go in a house and everyone is dressed in their turnout gear it’s kind of scary for the kids,” he said. “We try to get them to see that outside of an emergency situation.”

There will be a boot out to collect donations if anyone wants to contribute to the fire department, Pettipas said, but the events are free and donations aren’t required.

“We appreciate anything we get,” he said.