Merrimack Fire Rescue Has Big Plans For Annual Open House

MERRIMACK, NH — Sparky the Fire Dog and Smokey Bear will be among the special guests in attendance on Oct. 16 when Merrimack Fire Rescue holds its annual open house. The open house follows Merrimack Fire Rescue's observance of this week's Fire Prevention Week where fire departments across the country try to educate the public in ways to prevent life loss from fire.

The Merrimack Fire Rescue open house will run from 4 to 8 p.m. where Merrimack firefighters will have fire extinguisher demonstrations, EMS demonstrations, a live fire demonstration showing the differences between a sprinkled and non-sprinkled room and automobile airbag safety demonstrations. There will be tours of the Central Fire Station and all Merrimack fire apparatus and equipment.

Fire Marshal Jean Manuele said between 400 and 500 residents are expected at the open house that is scheduled to include the State Fire Marshal's accelerant sniffing K9. Manuele said there will be various fun and educational activities for kids and adults. Refreshments will be provided by several local businesses.

This year marks the 96th annual observance of Fire Prevention Week. The National Fire Prevention Association theme this year is: “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape: Plan and Practice Your Escape.” The campaign is focused on making sure each home has a home escape plan that includes having at least two ways out of every room, having working smoke detectors on every level of the home and every bedroom and identifying a meeting place out of the home to make sure everyone got out of the house safely.