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Open House Gives Families Firsthand Look at Orion Fire Department

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 16, 2022)

Lake Orion, MI – With the big red trucks came big happy smiles from kids and adults at the Orion Township Fire Department Open House Oct. 8.  But there’s more to an open house than just getting to hang out with firefighters and check out their gear.  “October is Fire Safety Month and this is our way of getting information to the community,” said Fire Chief Rob Duke.

Duke told Oakland County times there were several lessons to be learned, like teaching kids to call 9-1-1 when they see a fire and not to be afraid of the lights and sirens, that first responders are there to help.  Chief Duke encouraged families to do fire drills in the home, like students do in school, so they can know multiple ways out, and where family members should meet outside the house if there is an emergency.

There were tables with literature, smoke detectors, and cider and donuts from Yates Cider Mill.  Home Depot sponsored a craft area, where families made time to build a project together.  And there was a fire safety house where kids could learn about dangers in the home, like playing with stoves or lighters.  They learned to crawl low when there is smoke.

“Stop, drop, and roll,” said six-year-old Alexis Dano when asked what she learned in the fire safety house.  “That’s how you put the fire out if it gets on you.”

Dano explored the open house with her friend Namoi Bassine, also six.  “If someone is choking you push on their belly button,” is the tip Bassine remembered.

The girls got to crawl inside fire trucks, jump around in a dalmatian-themed bounce house, and try their hand at using the firefighter’s hose (with the help of a grown-up of course).

Four year old Mila Vlasenko was playing at nearby children’s park with her dad when they noticed the event.  “The sirens are loud,” Mila said.  “But that’s how you know someone’s in trouble,” her dad replied.  “And help is on the way!” Mila said back.

Chief Duke said even basics like calling 9-1-1 are important to share, and share often.  “We all know that when there’s trouble we call 9-1-1, but how often are we telling kids this?” he said.  “It’s easy to take what we know for granted.”

The event also included a vehicle extraction demonstration, with firefighters explaining the challenges and safety considerations of breaking into a vehicle when the doors and windows won’t work.  Dozens of kids and adults looked on in awe as the team flattened a car’s tires, broke the car’s window’s, and used the jaws of life machine to cut through the metal of the vehicle.

Duke thanked Captain Mitch Terrance who organized the Open House event.  “It’s our first one since COVID and it’s nice to see the kids getting out.  Unless you call us for a fire or an accident, you don’t usually see us.  So this gives us a chance to meet people in the community,” Terrance said.  In addition to the open house, firefighters plan to do in-person visits to local schools to continue spreading the word about fire safety.

Learn more about Orion Township Fire Department at OrionTownship.org.

For more things to do, visit the Oakland County Times Event Page! 

To submit event info email editor@oc115.com .

Thank you to Jim Shaffer & Associates Realtors for sponsoring this section!

 

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