Open House at Pincher Creek's Fire Hall

Nichole Boissoneault, Brooke, Haley, and Michael Whittington 

Toni Lucas

Pincher Creek Emergency Services held an open house at the Pincher Creek Fire Hall on Thursday, October  9 in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week. This gave children and adults alike the chance to visit the hall, and get to know the people on the fire department, and see the equipment that is used in emergencies.  "It has been annual for the last three years, not a great turnout this year, but it gives us an opportunity to allow the public into our hall, and they can have a look around," said Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Neumann. "It gives our people the chance to show off what we do.  What I really like is it gives the community the chance to meet the people that are the ones doing the job.  For me, that's a really nice thing."

PCES Chief David Cox and Deputy Chief Pat Neumann

Not much older than some of the kids that were being shown around is 18 year old Firefighter Amy Evano, who started taking EMR-Emergency Medical Responder courses when she was 17. "I love it.  And I think I get treated as an equal, it's rather nice," she said.  She sees her youth as an opportunity to get more training.  "In March I finish my firefighter courses, then there's certainly officer courses.  Being a Fire Chief one day, that's my life goal."

Amy Evano

Children were toured around the hall, and were given treats including colouring books and crayons.  They were encouraged to touch the equipment, and could go on a short ride in a fire truck.

Engine 11

As the national theme was 'Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives',  Deputy Chief Neumann had a variety of fire detectors on display.  He demonstrated talking fire detectors  and spoke of models that parents could record messages onto. "Who wakes up during a fire alarm?   The adults,"  he explained, saying that adults are conditioned to respond to beeping, but children may sleep through that noise.  "They wake up to their parents voice," he said.

He reminded everyone to check fire detectors monthly, replace batteries yearly, and replace devices every 10 years.  He stressed the importance of having a planned safety escape route.  "Kids are all pretty well ingrained in it now, as almost all the school have it."

Neumann suggests agreeing on a meeting place out on the curb, in a neighbours yard, or a nearby house that is not located right beside your own home.

Nichole Boissoneault with 2 year old daughter Brooke

Michael Whittington with 4 year old Haley

Ride-along

Boissoneault in the drivers seat

Treats!

Brenda Shenton with Lynn Brasnett