Fire department open house a success

On Wednesday, hundreds of local children and their parents made their way to Fire Station #1 for the annual Fire Prevention Open House.

The event featured each lucky child in attendance riding around the block on top and in the cab of a fire truck, as well as appearances by Sparky the Fire Dog, Smokey the Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog.

During the day, Smokey, Sparky and Magruff roamed the lines of waiting children, giving them high fives and stopped to take pictures.

Taking part in the open house were representatives from the MHPD, Citizens on Patrol, MHAFB, BLM, DARE program and Northwest Paramedics, who had displays set up throughout the fire station truck bay area.

Following the rides, the children were treated to candy, cookies, milk and juice and given Fire Prevention Week brochures, toy badges, helmets, stickers and coloring books from the department. The children also were given Smokey souvenirs that included buttons, pencils and brochures about forest fires.

"The fire truck was pretty cool. The event was really nice because it was fun and I liked meeting Smokey, Sparky and MaGruff," said nine-year-old Mychaella Scheppler.

"It was great, I had a great time. I think they should continue to do this every year," said 12-year-old Charlie Van Meer.

The day after the open house Fire Chief Phil Gridley gave praise to the children's parents in attendance that night.

"I think it went really well, and it was nice to see the parents bear such cold weather for their kids."