FIRE EXPOS DRAW HEATED INTEREST AMONG AREA RESIDENTS

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By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery

October 15, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Fire safety expos were among the hottest attractions in East County recently, drawing thousands of visitors—all as part of National Fire Prevention Month.  In our region, which was devastasted by two of our state's worst wildfires in 2003 and 2007, it's clear that people take fire protection seriously--while also enjoying some free family fun at these extensive events.
 

“How fast can it go?” one child asked Barry Links, rescue medic with San Diego Fire Rescue, while clambering into a rescue helicopter at the Viejas Commumity Center. (Answer: 140 knotts, or 165 mph.) Links also demonstrated a hoist used in canyon rescues and showed how the vehicle can also suck up water from lakes “like a straw” to help dowse fires.

Viejas hosted 250 fifth graders from Alpine Union School District, as well as Viejas preschoolers. Youngsters got up close looks at fire trucks, fire and rescue helicopters—even taking aim at a miniature house with a firehouse.

“We do interagency training. Now the tribe is taking it to the next level,” Viejas Fire Chief Don Butz said at a fire safety expo at Viejas Recreation Center in Alpine on October 8. “We all share the same fire safety problems. This is one way we help educate the next generation,” he said. Besides enacting laws and codes to improve the environment for fire safety, it’s also important to teach behavioral changes—such as not cooking with pot handles hanging over the edge of a stove, Chief Butz observed.

“Crawl low and get out of the house,” Lemon Grove Fire Department’s Charlie Lewis told kids inside a special safety house, where theatrical smoke is used to simulate an actual fire. Lewis told East County Magazine, “It’s like Disneyland in here. Everything’s fake. We can rock it like an earthquake, or do hurricanes.”

 

Kids viewed a rap safety movie before practicing how to escape safely from the trailer (purchased with a Homeland Security grant), which is towed by a fire chief's vehicle (purchased with Indian gaming money). They also learn to memorize their names, addresses and phone numbers in case of an emergency.

Tots also enjoyed a visit from Sparky the Firedog.
San Miguel Fire Department hosted its own fire safety expo recently complete with an entire kids’ fun zone. Children enjoyed free rides on a miniature fire truck, tugged fire hoses across a parking lot, and watched goats do their part to nibble down grasses and prevent wildfires. 

 

Grown-ups learned about fire safety products, such as Barricade Fire Gel, which provided a dramatic demonstration of how swiftly the gel could extinguish an actual blaze. Smokey the Bear was also on hand to meet kids and remind people of ways to prevent forest fires.
 

At the El Cajon Fire Safety and Careers Expo on October 10, a Kiwanis club provided free bicycle helmets for many local children. Home Depot had a free workshop to teach kids how to use tools safely—and build their own special creations.

Adults perused booths with safety info on a diverse range of topics, from domestic abuse to motorcycle safety.

 

Sam “Captain Jack” Sparrow, costumed performers, musicians, teen princesses and Disney stars were all on hand to delight young and old alike. Visitors also had opportunities to see the inside of a fire station and chat with firefighters and paramedics about career opportunities.

East County Magazine was on hand at all three fire expos, signing up people for our free Viejas Wildfire Alerts. Our alerts reach readers by e-mail even if phone lines or cell phone towers burn down, enabling you and your family to safetly evacuate with as much advance notice as possible. Sign up at the top right side of our homepage -- it's free!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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