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OPEN HOUSE 2007

 

9/30/2007- On Sunday from 11am to 4 pm, the Long Hill Fire Department held its annual Open House.  The event was held at Station 1 on Main Street.  The normal assortment of refreshments & food were provided by the LHFD Ladies Auxiliary.  On the top apron, the Trumbull Police Department's SCUBA Team & ERT Team were on hand to show the public their specialized equipment and how they use it in conjunction with the fire departments or other emergency services in town or in the area.
	At 12:30, the crowd was shown a stove fire demonstration.  Lt. Rowan explained to 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.
At 1:00, 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 stabilized the 2 vehicles and performed a complete door removal, taking off both drivers side doors.  Then they performed a roof removal, cutting the roof to fold it back for access.  Finally, the crew performed a dashboard lift.
	At 2:00, spectators were treated to  a rescue performed by Tower Ladder 204 and the crew from Station 2.  The scenario was set with a trapped firefighter on the 2nd floor of a building on fire.  T-204 approached the scene, set the truck in place, extended the bucket to the window and successfully pulled the trapped firefighter out of the window.  The public was able to not only witness the daring rescue but how all the firefighters on the truck must work together to successfully set up and operate the truck.
At 3:00, everyone was asked again to report to the back parking lot.  The car previously used for the extrication was set on fire for a car fire demonstration.  Squad 209 and its crew from Station 3 rolled on to the scene to handle the scenario.  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.

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Photos are courtesy of J. Grout and S. Pekar.  Photo on the main page is also courtesy of J. Grout.