43
Township fire department opens its doors to the public
By Bob Jackson
BOARDMAN
Boardman Township Fire Department had every available firefighter on duty Saturday, but not necessarily for putting out flames.
The department had its annual National Fire Safety Week open house, during which it opened the doors to its 90-year-old main station at 136 Boardman-Poland Road, as well as to its trucks and other equipment for the public. The main truck bays of the station were converted to a dining area, where visitors enjoyed hot dogs, wings, soft drinks, chips and cookies.
“And this is all free,” said township Trustee Tom Costello. “It doesn’t cost anyone a thing to come out here and enjoy all we have to offer.”
The costs were underwritten by several sponsors.
Firefighters demonstrated how they attack a fire, using a trailer that simulated a real-life house fire. Chief Mark Pitzer said the trailer used for the live-burn demonstration is used only once a year, during the open house. After the demonstration, firefighters set about rebuilding it for the next year.
Jessica Nevison and Erin Gilmour, the department’s only female firefighters, showed how quickly they don their turnout gear, then picked up a hose and put out the fire. All the while, Pitzer was explaining the importance of having an escape plan in place, including at least two ways out of the house, in the event of a fire.
“Smoke goes high, toward the ceiling, and the fresh air is low,” he explained to the scores of children and adults who were watching. “That’s why you get down below the smoke to escape.”
He said the department’s average response time for a fire is just over four minutes. Visitors on Saturday got to see a partial fire response first-hand, as at least two fire calls came in during the open house. Trucks were kept near the street so they’d be able to get out easily if that happened.
“We want people to have access to our vehicles today, but this is still a working fire station,” Costello said. “We have to be able to respond when a call comes in.”
Pitzer said the department has three fire stations and 38 full-time firefighters.
Firefighters also demonstrated how they extricate a person from a wrecked car using the Jaws of Life.
Several activities for children included a large, inflated slide and bounce-house in the shape of a firetruck. Children also were able to check out the inside of firetrucks and ambulances, which is what 11-year-old Olivia Hackett and her 3-year-old brother, Elijah, were most looking forward to.
“They’re intimidating vehicles, typically,” said the children’s mother, Colleen, 35, of Boardman. “You don’t usually want to go near them, so this will be a good experience for the kids.”
Costello said that’s exactly the point of the annual open house.
“We want the community to feel comfortable with and to understand what our people do,” he said.
Costello said Saturday was the last open house at the current station because a new one is under construction on Market Street and is set to open in March 2018.
“Next year, we’ll be doing this at our new home,” he said.
Pitzer said the events generally bring about 500 visitors a year.