Troy

Troy Fire Department holds open house

By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « File photo by Donna Agusti Tyler Schmidt, of Troy, tries out firefighter gear with help from Troy Fire Lt. Jonathan Duncan at the Troy Fire Department Open House in 2010. File photo by Donna Agusti Tyler Schmidt, of Troy, tries out firefighter gear with help from Troy Fire Lt. Jonathan Duncan at the Troy Fire Department Open House in 2010.

Ride the ladder truck, meet your local firefighters, see the skills and equipment they need to fight and prevent fires, and learn how to prevent them yourself during the annual Troy Fire Department open house Oct. 7.

Cindy Stewart, community affairs director for the city of Troy, said the Fire Prevention Week theme this year is “Have Two Ways Out.”

She explained that firefighters will talk with families about why they should have an escape route and meeting place planned out in advance in the event of a fire.

Troy Fire Chief Bill Nelson described the open house as a tradition that allows the department to teach fire safety in a fun, relaxed way, as well as a chance for Troy families to meet the volunteer firefighters and see firsthand the pride they take in what they do.

Volunteer firefighters train once a week for up to three hours at a time.

Activities at the firehouses will include stop, drop and roll demonstrations, ladder truck rides, handling fire hoses, vehicle extrication demonstrations and fire extinguisher training.

Sparky the fire dog will be at Station 1 at 1 p.m., Station 3 at 2 p.m. and Station 4 at 3 p.m. The city’s antique fire truck will be on display at Station 6 at 1 p.m., Station 2 at 2 p.m. and Station 5 at 3 p.m. Alliance Mobile Health will be at all six stations.

Station 6 will have a piece of the World Trade Center on display, as well as a display from the Oakland County hazardous materials unit.

“The kids love climbing on the trucks and trying on the fire gear,” Stewart said. She added that the open house is a great way to educate everyone about fire safety.

The event will be held 1-4 p.m. Oct. 7 at:

• Station 1, 1019 East Big Beaver.

• Station 2, 5600 Livernois.

• Station 3, 2400 W. Big Beaver.

• Station 4, 2103 E. Maple.

• Station 5, 6399 John R.

• Station 6, 5901 Coolidge — parking will be limited. A free shuttle will be offered from Hamilton Elementary School, on Northfield Parkway.

For additional information, call (248) 524-3419.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1054.