By Olivia Heersink
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
PULLMAN, Wash. — Five-year-old Willy Smith is no stranger to firetrucks.
In fact, Smith had climbed onto one before on two other occasions before Saturday when he got his third chance during an open house event at the Pullman Fire Department’s newly renovated Fire Station No. 2.
But this time was different - he was going to be sitting up front rather than in back.
As he clambered into the driver’s seat, Willy realized two things: One, he was going to be a firefighter one day, and two, he was in serious need of some ice cream.
“I don’t really like this heat, but I guess I’ll need to get used to it,” Willy said, one hand gripping the steering wheel, while the other one toyed with the idea of honking the truck’s horn.
Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Scharnhorst said the renovated station now features an ADA-compliant bathroom, a more solid fire wall and at least 20 more feet of new space. They also have a new fire engine arriving later in week.
Scharnhorst said the second station is very similar to the first but it does have some minor differences, like the fact that it houses the department’s reserve force and that it is overseen by a lieutenant versus a chief. Station 2 is required to send out three firefighters on every call, while Station 1 requires four.
The open house, he said, was a way for residents to see the remodel and to also interact with the department to learn more about it and its firefighters.
“Not too many people come and view their fire stations,” Scharnhorst said. “They drive by and see it, taking comfort in the fact that it’s there, but they never truly understand all the activities taking place until they go inside and take a look.”
Scharnhorst said the event involved many of the department’s partners, and visitors were able to talk with the area’s 911 dispatcher and hospice and life flight personnel, who each had tables set up in the station. The department offered car seat checks and had a financial representative on site to answer any questions about ambulance billing.
Besides getting to play on the truck, children were able complete an obstacle course that included a tunnel, balloons and a chance for them to put out a fire, while their parents learned more about the PFD.
Scharnhorst said guests were able to see first-hand the training that the firefighters go through and all of the gear they use, as well as learn some of the costs associated with that equipment and even how to properly use a fire extinguisher.
The department has previously held open houses at Fire Station No. 1, he said, but they had yet to do it at the secondary station. PFD hopes to make the event an annual one at both places.
Riley Smith, Willy’s mother, said she had never seen a fire department do anything like Saturday’s event or a department with such strong ties to the community.
She said the family just recently moved to Pullman from southern Nevada in June and she attended the open house as a way to learn more about their new city.
“I think this is really unique to Pullman,” Riley said. “This isn’t just their workplace, it’s their home, and for them to open their home like this, is just really awesome.”
“Wicked awesome,” Willy added.
Copyright 2017 Moscow-Pullman Daily News