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Mostly Cloudy Things get hot in Wantagh
Things heated up quickly last Saturday at the Wantagh Fire Department’s headquarters on Park Avenue.
The department held its annual open house for Wantagh residents to come down and learn more about fire safety and prevention. With a turnout of more than 100 people, children and volunteers had fun participating in evacuation drills and meeting the volunteer firefighters who are available 24/7.
“It gives the kids and people in the community an opportunity to come out,” Chief James Bloomfield said. “We expand upon the school fire prevention program and they get the chance to come here and learn more hands-on demonstrations and meet some of the firemen and medics that we have here today.”
Volunteers from the department’s Emergency Medical Services were also in attendance. They demonstrated first-aid techniques and gave a tour of an ambulance. “I want to pursue my career in the medical field so becoming an EMT is just one step closer,” volunteer Kerrie Curnuck said. “Now I can actually be hands-on and give back to my community.
“It’s really cool to feel official,” Curnuck added. “But also cool to explain to the children about what we actually do and tell them that they can be here one day, too.”
The open house was also a way for firefighters to recruit members directly or register children for the Explorers program. The program ensures that teens ages 14 to 18 learn the details of fire prevention and are prepared for the requirements that are needed to become a firefighter, once they are an adult.
“Everything revolves around safety,” Wantagh Public Information Officer Harry Loud said. “There are different exhibits and slideshows inside the firehouse as well as a car simulator to show the impact of a 10- or 15-mph crash. You get to see the impact and necessity of seatbelts.”
Along with residents, organizations such as the Girl Scouts were in attendance to learn more about fire safety. Volunteer firefighters were also available to offer more information on membership and safety prevention tips.
