Saukville Fire Open House Includes Jaws of Life Demo

Lots of activities are planned to keep the community interacting with firefighters and EMTs at the annual in October.

With 20 EMTS and more than 30 firefighters on staff, the event is geared towards teaching people something new about the department.

"Come see what we do to help you," said Sue Schlegel, an EMT-IT and fire prevention officer with the Saukville Fire Department. "Come learn about us. Come find out who we are."

Schlegel has been an EMT for the past eight years in Saukville and is in charge of organizing the

The event is an opportunity for the fire department to show the community the work it does when it responds to an emergency. There will be several live examples shown to the public, including a car extrication.

"The firefighters will use some of the junior explorers as patients. They’ll put them in the car and use the Jaws of Life to break open the doors and peel back the roof (of the car). Then our EMTS will go in and take out the explorers," Schlegel said. Demonstrations will be narrated, so the community can watch and learn about the process.

This year, a new partnership will be seen at the event, according to Schlegel.

"We’re partnering with the (American Legion) in Saukville, which happens to be across the street. The Monday after (the open house) the Legion is hosting their bi-monthly blood drive. The Saukville Fire Department is sponsoring it, so the blood center will have a representative here, trying to get people to sign up for appointments,” Schlegel said. “That Monday evening we’ll have a fire truck and an ambulance and some firefighters and EMTs over at the blood drive.”

Children will have plenty to see and do at the open house. Firefighters will be giving free rides on their heavy rescue and pumper trucks. Raffles will be held for toys, bicycles and an Ipod. Tours will be given of the ambulances and other vehicles. There will be gear for children to try on and kids can hold a water hose to experience the force behind one. Members of the Junior Explorers team will be in charge of a coloring station, as well. If that doesn’t wear your child out, a Dalmatian bounce house will also be available for kids to jump and play in.

The Fire Department’s state-of-the-art gear will be shown off, including a brand new truck they received in the spring. Attendants can take part in free blood pressure screenings and watch firefighters rappel down the side of the building.

Schlegel encourages teens who have thought about or are interested in becoming a firefighter to come to the open house and learn more. There are six members currently on the Junior Explorer team. Members must be at least 14 years of age in order to join.

The open house has been held at the Saukville Fire Department for more than 30 years. To Schlegel, it’s an opportunity for the department to reach out to the community it serves.

"I think the Saukville Fire Department gets satisfaction from knowing that we’re not just people to call when there’s something bad that happens," she said. "We’re here, we’re in the community. Stop by and say, 'hi.'"

Though the event will surely keep people busy all afternoon, Schlegel said that's not it's main purpose; the hope is that attendees walk away with something more.

"I think just to hear people say 'That’s really cool, I didn’t know that’s how you guys did that,'" Schlegel said. "To hear positive comments, it’s always nice to hear, "Thank you.'"