About Town: Annual Fire Station's Open House [PHOTOS]

Saturday was one of those crisp, clean-smelling New England fall days, perfect for picking apples, taking a walk or visiting Lexington Fire Department for its annual open house.

It’s a tradition here, one that parents, grandparents and their youngsters enjoy every year from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It’s not clear how many years the Lexington Fire Department has opened the doors of its Bedford Street Headquarters to the public, but it was already an annual event back in 1994 when my then 4-year-old son “oooed” and “ahhhed” over every truck, hose and piece of fire equipment.

Firefighters, both on- and off-duty, were on hand to answer questions, give demonstrations and help kids as they used hoses to douse orange and red painted “flames” in the windows of 4-foot one-sided house.

Parents seemed to enjoy the day too and examined the innards of the ambulance and fire trucks, examined now retired fire boxes, and chatted with our firefighters.

Interim Fire Chief Keith Hoyle was on hand shaking hands and chatting with kids and adults. He even delivered the Papa Gino’s donated pizza. Cider and cider donuts were donated too.

Police officers Kristen French and Charles Crayton were there to give kids police badges and talk to adults about the RAD (Rape Agreession Defense) program. (Thanks for the great lessons!)

It’s been a few years since my Tuesday afternoons were spent getting the fire log, so I noticed a few minor changes in the station.

Minor.  

The filtration system, one that pushes polluted air out of the firehouse was moved from the basement to the garage and an outside unit.

Many probably don’t know, but the soil where the Bedford Street station sits is contaminated. That air system is something our firefighters need.

The old green tile in the garage was unchanged and the station looked the same. Although it’s clean and well-kept, it’s old and tired.

Yes, yes, yes, we have oh-so-expensive school and building renovation projects coming in the next few fiscal years.

Our kids deserve the best education.

Don’t our firefighters (and police officers) deserve the best too?