FANNING THE FLAMES OF FIRE SAFETY

Vacaville firefighters give demonstrations, talk safety during National Fire Prevention Week

Live fire demonstrations, fire trainings, a vehicle extrication, Sparky the Fire Dog and more drew hundreds of Solanoans to Vacaville's five fire stations Saturday for open houses celebrating National Fire Prevention Week.

It was an invaluable opportunity for the department as well as the community, organizers said.

“It encourages everybody to come out and visit our fire houses … meet our firefighters,” said Chief Kris Concepcion. “It's great seeing all the kids and parents having a good time, the smiles on their faces.”

There was definitely an abundance of smiles, and oohs and aahhs, at Station 73 on Eubanks Drive.

Deputy Chief Alex Nourot talked about fire safety and fire behavior as he ignited a plywood dollhouse. He demonstrated how a fire reacts when exposed to oxygen and

when cut off from it.

The mini structure started with a slow burn that steadily grew, and he periodically staunched the flames as he continued his lessons.

At several points, thick plumes of whitish-brown smoke billowed into the crowd, and attendees in its path quietly moved a short distance away, their eyes and ears still attuned to Nourot.

He maneuvered different openings, including a tiny space near the attic, explaining fire tactics all the while.

The most important message was emphasized several times.

“The first thing you do if the house is on fire is GET OUT,” he said. “The second thing you can do if you can't get out is get into a room and close the door between you and the fire.”

The latter, he said, could make all the difference in your safety.

“There's a very, very good chance you'll survive the

fire,” he said.

Hailey Klisiewicz of Dixon and 2-year-old Maverick enjoyed the demonstration.

“I think it's great,” she said, after the burn. “It's a (great) way to get all the community together.”

Jessica Peuse of Vacaville agreed.

Her children — David, 6 and Kaylee, 4, who climbed all over the fire rigs and excitedly chatted with Firefighter Brian Whitley — had

a ball.

“It's been really fun,” she said, adding that David recently shared some information that made the open house all the more exciting for the family.

“Maybe two weeks ago he said `Mommy, I think I want to be a firefighter,'” she recalled. So the event was fortuitous. She saw the notice, grabbed the wiggling kids and traipsed over to Sta

tion 73.

David could not stop smiling. Bouncing from wheel to wheel between parked rigs, he'd compare the heights of the tires.

“I'm bigger than this one,” he excitedly told Whitley, of the rig with the larger tire that was maybe a half inch shorter.

A police K-9 demonstration followed at 73, and visitors later migrated to the other fire stations for meetand-greets and more afternoon fun.

For more information, visit the Vacaville Fire Department's Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/VacavilleFire.

PHOTOS BY KIMBERLY K. FU, THE REPORTER Deputy Chief Alex Nourot with the Vacaville Fire Department demonstrates fire behavior in a burning building during an open house at Station 73. The event was part of the activities for the department's open house at its five stations Saturday.

Orion Lewis, 5, of Vacaville has his turnouts straightened during an open house at Vacaville Fire Station 73.

PHOTO BY KIMBERLY K. FU, THE REPORTER David Peuse, 6, and his sister, 4-year-old Kaylee, navigate a fire engine under the watchful eyes of their mom, Jessica, and Vacaville Firefighter Brian Whitley.