Niverville’s Fire and Emergency Services Department hosted an open house on Tuesday, October 9 at the fire hall to kick off Fire Prevention Week. A toonie barbecue was enjoyed by the more than 100 people who attended. Donations of cash and non-perishable food items were also collected for Helping Hands.
The goal of the event was to promote fire safety awareness in the community. As well, residents could get a firsthand introduction to their local fire department staff and an up-close look at the fire hall and equipment.
“[We wanted to introduce] the community fire department and show what we do,” says Fire Chief Keith Bueckert. “We had all our trucks and equipment on display for the public to see what we have in the fire hall.”
Just outside the hall, parents and children were invited to tour the fire safety trailer, which was set up and decorated like a miniature house inside. The use of theatrical smoke allowed families to experience a somewhat realistic drill on safely exiting a burning home.
Fire Prevention Week was established in 1925 as a way to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The blaze was one of historical proportions, burning from October 8–10. It destroyed about three square miles of the city, killing 300 and leaving another 100,000 people homeless.
