Copperas CoveFire Department holds annual open house

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

Children tried their hands at putting out fires, spraying the fire hose at the wooden house prop attempting to hit the “fire” during the Copperas Cove Fire Department’s open house event.

The Central Fire Station, next door to the Copperas Cove library, held the open house Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event featured fire safety education, a tour of the department, a fire safety house, checking out the fire fighting gear and equipment, helping the firefighters operate the fire hose, attempting the smoke crawl, visiting with Fire Pup, and chatting with the firefighters.

Fire Chief Gary Young shared the event’s historical background. Chief Young said that during Gerald Ford’s presidency, President Ford wanted to draw attention to fire departments across America. To raise awareness about the importance of fire prevention, he used the Great Chicago Fire from October 1871 as an example. Popular theory blames Mrs. O’Leary’s cow, which allegedly knocked over a lantern, for starting the massive fire. Since President Ford’s proclamation, in October, many fire departments continue to invite the public to check out their departments with open house events or other fire prevention events.

“We are opening our fire house up in fire prevention month so that the citizens of our community can come here and see fire prevention tips, fire prevention messages, see the fire apparatus up close, the ambulance of course, and be able to experience some learning and ask questions,” said Chief Young.

During this year’s open house, the fire department anointed their brand-new ambulance. Historically, to fight fires, water pumpers were taken to the fires by horses. When they got a new vehicle, they transferred the water from the old ones which caused the water to splash. Also historically, after they hitched the horses, the fire fighters would push the vehicle back into the garage. Continuing tradition, the Copperas Cove Fire Department held a wetting down ceremony and pushed the new ambulance into the garage. Afterwards, they opened the back area of the ambulance so kids and their families could check it out.

“The best fire is a fire that never occurs,” said Fire Marshal Carlos Mariduena who coordinated Saturday’s open house which featured plenty of fire prevention tips.

One of the tips that Mariduena shared was a reminder to change the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year. Generally, batteries should be changed when the times spring forward and fall back; therefore, batteries should be changed Nov 3 this year.

He encouraged citizens to make sure that they have an escape plan and that they practice it often.

“When you panic, you’ll fall back into muscle memory,” said Mariduena.

“We try to do everything we can for the fire department,” said Jerry Shepard, treasurer for the Citizens Fire & Public Safety Volunteers. The group helped at the open house and gave out snacks and goodies.

Shepard said that he liked how they get the kids involved.

“It teaches them even though it’s a fun event,” said Shepard. “It teaches them what to do in case of a fire.”

April Maher attended the event with her kids, Brooklyn Key (6) and Emerie Maher (8), and the kids’ grandmother, Tammy Thompson.

“It’s fun!” said Brooklyn Key. She said her favorite part was the fire house. They set up a bouncy house where children can pretend to evacuate a burning building. She said that she also learned about fire safety.

“If you leave candles on, your cat or dog might knock it over and it could start a fire in your whole house!” warned Brooklyn.

Maher said that the whole family enjoyed the event, and she liked how welcoming the fire department was.

Chief Young said that the event has a lot of features geared towards children, but they also really like it when adults come to the open house events as it gives them the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the firemen, ask questions, and see the fire department for themselves.

“They can see it in a neutral environment that isn’t pressured by sickness or trauma,” said Chief Young. “It gives them the ability to ask questions in a relaxed environment.”

Chief Young said that they welcome citizens to stop by the department, not just during the open house, but asks that they schedule an appointment first. They can do so by emailing fire@copperascovetx.gov