9/24/2006- On Sunday from 11am to 3 pm, the Long Hill Fire Department held its annual Open House.  The weather called for rain, but not a drop fell during the event that was held at Station 1 on Main Street.  In the apparatus bay, hot dogs, refreshments, and snacks were served by the LHFD Ladies Auxiliary.  There also was a slide show presentation that was shown all throughout the event, and a raffle was held for a chance to win a ride to school on a fire truck. Everyone got a chance to see and go inside our trucks. 

At noon, everyone was asked to go to the lower parking lot for an extrication drill.  Rescue 200 and its crew from Station 1 put their talent to use, showing the crowd how their tools can cut, spread, push, and pull anything it needs to when it comes to getting a trapped victim out of a car.  First the crew spread the front doors off the vehicle and cut them completely off at the hinges.  Then they performed at roof removal, cutting the roof in key places to fold it back for easy access.  Finally, the crew performed a dashboard roll.

At 1:00, everyone was asked again to report to the back parking lot.  The crowd was shown an actual airbag deployment, utilizing the airbag on the vehicle the rescue had cut up from before.  After that, the car was set on fire, so Squad 209 and its crew from Station 3 could put it out.  Upon arrival, the crew pulled the car fire line off the front, charged it, and quickly extinguished the blazing car.  The crowd was able to see not only how quickly it takes for a car to become fully involved, but also how quickly we can put it out.  

Lastly at 2:00, the crowd was shown a stove fire demonstration.  Lt. Rowan showed the spectators 3 different ways to extinguish a grease fire on a stove top.  The 1st way was to put a lid on the pot or pan.  This cuts the oxygen of the fire and puts it out.  The 2nd way was using baking soda.  This method smothers the flames and again blocks out the oxygen.  The last method was using a household fire extinguisher.  A volunteer from the audience was chosen, and put out the fire with a portable fire extinguisher.