Icemen firefighters kick-off Fire Prevention Week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ashley Nicole Taylor
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Icemen families packed into Eielson's Fire Station 2 to enjoy a day of fun during an open house Sunday afternoon.

The first open house in 10 years was held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week which began a series of activities held around base.

"The purpose of this open house is to get the public in here and aware of the fire department, Fire Prevention Week and why we hold it," said Senior Airman Nick Belair, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron fire prevention technician. "This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is 'Working smoke alarms save lives, test yours every month' and we really want to make the public aware of how important working smoke alarms are, not having one could mean life or death during a fire."

Despite the snowfall, more than 100 members of the Icemen team met Sparky the Fire Dog, explored fire trucks and tools used by the firefighters and watched a vehicle extrication demonstration.

"We have a whole week of events planned including a smoke trailer so that people can see what the inside of a house would really look like if covered entirely in smoke," said Belair. "Sparky the Fire Dog will also be walking around passing out free food and gifts."

Among the visitors exploring the fire house, many kids got a taste of a day in the life of a firefighter.

"I like getting in the fire truck," said Camden Wyke. "I also really like Sparky, he's really cool."

Although Wyke is determined to be a Ninja Turtle when he is older, his younger sister had other career plans.

"I know I want to be a firefighter when I grow up," said Aevyn Wyke. "I could hang out with Sparky any time I want."

The event finished with a vehicle extrication, which demonstrated worse-case scenarios, should victims need to be removed from a vehicle after a severe crash.

"We wanted to show everyone that although it may look like a scary process, we will get a crash victim out as safely and quickly as possible," said Belair. "We won't damage a vehicle unless it is a last resort to ensure the safety of all people involved in the crash, including our own personnel."

The overall intent of the open house is to kick start an annual tradition.

"We're hoping that this open house helps to make everyone aware of what is going on for Fire Prevention Week," said Belair. "Ten to twenty years down the road it would be great to still have this going and make it a much larger event."

Events are planned throughout the week, to include puppet shows at Andersen and Crawford Elementary School, static displays at the Base Exchange, appearances by Sparky the Fire Dog and a smoke trailer loaned by the North Star Fire Department.