Crime & Safety

Families Turn out for Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department's Open House

Kids learn about home fire safety

The atmosphere at Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department's annual Open House was festive, with lots of little kids running around wearing red plastic firefighter hats and plenty of families enjoying the educational activities and the free popcorn.

Volunteer EMT Pamela Powers, who helped organize Saturday's event, which occurs annually at the end of Fire Prevention Week, said that though the event is aimed at children, adults can learn plenty from it as well.

In one corner, a firefighter put on his complete uniform and gear to help children get used to the sight.

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"Sometimes little kids are afraid of the uniform and the apparatus," Powers said. "We're trying to teach them that even though it looks scary, there's somebody under there wanting to help them."

Another station taught children how to dial 911. "It's amazing how many kids don't know how to dial 911 with all the new technology," Powers said.

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Sam the Safety Robot, who tours nationwide to talk to children at various events, gave advice on how to stay safe in a fire. Powers said that Sam is indeed an automated robot without tricks or microphones attached. He recently visited Houston for an event, after which he quipped to Powers, "Houston was nice, but I like Burke better."

Other areas taught children about safety in the kitchen, how to get out of your bedroom when you hear the smoke alarm go off, and the fire hazards you might find in your house. TopKick Martial Arts was present to help kids learn how to stop, drop and roll and also about safety when dealing with strangers. Tours of the fire truck, ambulance and police car were also available.

The Community Emergency Response Team was present to talk to adults about possibly volunteering with the group. The group provides training in emergency work, medical aid and search and rescue to ordinary citizens.

"In case of a huge disaster, the fire and police departments may be fighting over there dealing with big problems instead of the little issues in our community," CERT volunteer Alia Carbone said. "We are trained to be able to help ourselves and our community in that situation."

As fire departments county-wide held open houses, prizes are awarded to the best events. Burke's fire department has won first place the last four years.

"We are able to do more than some of the career stations," President Bob Mizer pointed out. "With 80 volunteers, we can do a lot. This level of activity, you only find at volunteer stations."

Chief Dan Melick estimated that throughout the day, the open house would have 3,000 visitors. West Springfield Police helped coordinate traffic and parking in the area, as well as running a few exhibits themselves.


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