'Plan your escape'
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The fire hall was buzzing last Thursday as Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue Services hosted its annual Fire Prevention Week Open House.
“We have probably had over 500 kids and adults through, it’s been very, very successful and very well attended,” said Tillsonburg Fire Chief Terry Saelens, noting the firefighters had visited all the local Grade 3 students earlier in the week and invited them to the two-hour, early-evening open house.
The safety message this year was ‘Not everyone wears a cape, plan your escape.’
Activities included a ‘firefighter challenge,’ which included putting on firefighter gear, pulling an unconscious victim (an ultra-large teddy bear), carrying boots while walking around pylons and using a sledge hammer, all geared for age, from young children to seniors.
“There is also a challenge for people who want to be firefighters,” said Saelens. “We are actually actively recruiting right now, we are looking for more reservists for our fire department.”
There was a play area for young children, and several information booths, including one for fire dispatchers.
“A lot of information,” Saelens nodded. “And some fire trucks.”
Outside the hall, trucks included the new ladder truck on display with its ladder fully extended and lit up. There was a vehicle for an extrication demonstration. Children enjoyed putting out a real fire with a small water hose, assisted by firefighters.
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