Fire Stations Open Doors, Offer Fire Prevention Advice

Fire safety is a lot more these days than just “stop-drop-roll,” and Centreville’s two Fire Stations hosted fire awareness Open Houses on Saturday as part of Fire Prevention Week. 

Firefighters and paramedics from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department set up displays and activities emphasizing fire safety, including ways to prevent fires and fire injuries, especially in the home. At Fire Station 17, near Routes 28 and 29, firefighters hauled out an old range and showed the explosive nature of a grease fire that could quickly engulf an entire kitchen. 

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries, according to national fire authorities, who note that the leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. The demonstrations were avidly watched by the kids in the audience. 

“These activities are for the families, but they are really for the kids,” said station Capt. Bobby Strickland. “We want to make sure they know how to react when they are faced with an emergency.” 

Firefighters also set up a mock dispatch center at the fire station which allowed kids to call and report an emergency, giving them practice on what they will have to say when a real emergency occurs, Strickland said. It was all part of the larger theme for Fire Prevention Week: “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect Your Family From Fire!” 

“I think this is just great,” said Terri McClain, who brought her kids, including her two-month-old daughter, Rose, to the Open House. “It’s really important to teach them about fire safety.” 

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue is a combination system, where volunteers work alongside county career firefighter/EMTs, said Daniel Schmidt, department spokesman. The system has about 1,300 career staff, supplemented by about 200 volunteers, assigned to 39 stations across the county. 

Mike Wendt, 27, of Manassas Park, volunteers at Station 17 and said the open house is an important teaching tool for kids in the community. “This really is the best thing for kids to let them know about fire prevention and these kids represent the next generation of firefighter volunteers,” Wendt said. 

At the West Centreville Station 38 (6001 O’Day Dr.), Capt. John Morris said firefighters enjoy the community outreach. “It’s a way we get to share with the public and let them know of all the important services that we can provide,” Morris said. “Residents are lucky they have a 365-day, 24-7 firefighting service like this.” 

Iris Gallow, of Centreville, brought her son, Alejandro Ramirez, 3, to the open house. She said she learned some important lessons. 

“I’m going home right now and teach my other kids what they need to know and what they should do in case of a fire,” Gallow said.